


(^' 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

'PS '^^^^^3 

d^Hp. itipirig]^ !f u* 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



BY 



SARAH JERUSHA CORNWALL. 






^^ c^T.- .-^o' 



NEW YORK: 
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 

1, 3, AND 5 BOND STREET. 

1881. 



N, - ' / Or If -AT, LJ,^i 



(TX 



T^ 14-1-1 
Cb3 



COPYRIGHT BY 

SARAH JERUSHA CORNWALL. 

1881. 



TO 

MY FATHER 

AND 

MY SISTER ANNA. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Invocation . . . . . ,11 

Sylvan Pictures . . , . .13 

Give Me Leave to Love . ...» 33 

The Willows . . . . . . .34 

Questions . ... . . . .36 

The Fruitless Chase . . . . , .37 

My Love ....... 39 

Sweet May-Flowers . . . . . .40 

Young Maids in May ..... 41 

The Poet and the Clouds . . . . .42 

Memories . . . . . . .44 

New-Year's Eve and Morn . . . . .45 

What is Love . . . . .47 

The Broken Heart . . . . . .51 

Tree and River . . . . . ,52 

Under the Snow . . . . . . 53 

Pensive Dreaminjr ..... 54 



6 CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Sweet Violet ... . . 56 

Lullaby . . . . .57 

A Decade .... . . 58 

The Bard .... . . 59 

Breath of the Morning . . . . .01 

Edith before the Looking-Glass . . . . 63 

Gentle Annie Day . . . . . ,64 

The Morning-Glory ..... 65 

Thrice-Tried . . . , .67 

Sonnet ....... 68 

Isabel . . . . . . .69 

Welcome ....... 71 

The Soldier's Babe . . . . . ,73 

Acceptance . . . . . .78 

Spring Token . , . . . . .79 

Elfin Lay . . . . . .80 

A Similitude . . . . . . .81 

Aphorisms . . . . . .83 

To a Parrot . . . . . . .83 

Love ....... 85 

Once I Loved . . . . . . .86 

Lily 87 

Weary Years Ago . . . . . .88 



CONTENTS. 7 

PAGE 

A Sweet Little Bird . . . ... 90 

Love Priceless . . . . , .92 

The Broker's Song . . . . . 93 

Buds and Blossoms . . , . . .94 

The Daisy . . . . . . 97 

Bliss . . . . . . . .98 

ToChloe. ...... 99 

A Lament . . . . . . .99 

Lines to ... . . 100 

Pussy . . , . . . .101 

Fate ....... 103 

The Blind Grandfather . . , . .104 

Marriage Bells ...... 109 

A Dream . . , . . . ,111 

Mirth and Wine . . . . . 112 

Wondrous Witching . . . . .113 

Spring-Time is Coming . . . . . 115 

Little White Yiolet . . . . . .116 

Heart-Pain . . . . . , 118 

To Anna . . . . . . .119 

Ask Me Not ...... 120 

Poets . . . . . . .121 

Song. Fly, Maiden . . . . . * 123 



8 CONTEXTS. 

PACE 

She Loves Me Not . . . . . .124 

Nothing and Nobody . . . . .125 

Merry Christmas ilorning . . . . .126 

The Bridal Eve ...... 127 

Mildred . . . . . . .129 

Distant Music . . . . , . 131 

Woe ........ 133 

The Lost Bird . . . . . .133 

A Conceit ....... 137 

Forty Times . . . . . .138 

On Receiving a Nosegay from My Lady-Lovc . .139 

A Riddle ...... 140 

Bertie . . . . . . .142 

Woo the Muse . . . . . . 144 

Soliloquy ....... 145 

Song. Oh ! Look into My Heart, Love . - . 14S 

Passing Strange . . . . . .149 

Willie . . . . . . .149 

Cupid as a For tune-Teller . . . . .151 

Summer Hours . . . . . . 152 

The Fire-Fly . . . . . .154 

To Eva, on Hearing of Her Betrothal . . 156 

Dancing ....... 158 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



Along the River . , . . . - , 158 

Life and Love . . . . . . 160 

Song. My Heart is all one Dream of Love . . 161 

The Despairing . . . . . .162 

Resignation . , . . . . 165 

Cradle Song . . . . . . . 166 

My Children. Reading from one Book . , 168 

The Rose . . . . . . .169 

Art Thou Happy Lacking Me . . . . 171 

Phebe . . . . . . , US 

Prescription . . . . . . 176 

Lines in an Album . . . . . .176 

Lilies of the Valley . . . . 177 

Baby . . . . . . .178 

Agur's Prayer. Neither Poverty nor Riches . -. 179 
Doom ....... 181 

Lines to , with a Rose . . 183 

Trial. A Vision . . . . . .184 

Meditation . . . . . . 187 

Longing . . . . . . .188 

Hymn. Lift up My Eyes . . . . 189 

God Our Judge . . . . . .190 

Wishing . . . . ' . . .193 



10 CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Hymn. Only to Pray . . . . .194 

Supplication . . . . , . 196 

Hymn. Hasten to the Temple . . . .198 

Hymn. Jesus Our Risen Saviour . . . 199 

To . . . . .201 

To Some Friends who Requested My Likeness . . 202 



INVOCATION. 

ConWy gentle Muses, teach me how to ivrite / 
Gladly III join you in your airy flight, ' 
Whether you lead me far o^er houndless seas, 
Or waft me heavenward on the evening hreeze / 
Pll range imth you the starry realms of light 
And learn sweet wisdom from the quiet night. 



ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



SYLYAX PICTUEES. 

DowK^ trickling, o'er the mossy rock, 
The silent, ceaseless, crystal drops 
Glide and glisten, glimmer and glance, 
Then ndngle together, clear and cool, 
A grateful draught, in the shallow bowl. 
Which, flowing, they have Avi'ought ; 
Therein to linger a moment brief. 
And offer the traveler sweet relief. 

Drink, weary traveler, drink, and slake 
Thy burning thirst in the tiny lake ; 



14 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Kepose tliee in the cheerful shade, 
By rustling oak and chestnut made. 
This shady, sunny, flowery yale 
Recalls to memory a tale 
Of lovers in a by-gone day. 

Not such the vale where they met at eye, 

When from toil the workman wins reprieve ; 

The stream, which takes in yon spring its source, 

Increases ever in size and force, 

As it ripples along through the vine-clad bowers. 

Or leaps in the meadows gay with flowers, 

Till it flows in the valley broad and deep ; 

On its bosom the water-lilies sleep, 

The beech and willow wave above. 

In their branches the zephyrs whisper love. 

And the wild bird nestles warm and light, 

While her proud mate warbles a soft good night. 

To the cadence low of the ruflliug breeze, 

In the topmost boughs of the lofty trees. 



SYLVAN PICTURES. 15 

When the twilight cometh, and over all, 

Its balmy benedictions fall, 

The lowing cattle, homeward bound, 

To quench their thirst come herding round, 

And the parting sun glows warm to greet 

The fair, pale moon, in her distance sweet, 

As a gracious princess, born to be 

Worshiped afar on bended knee. 

At evening, her snowy banners furled. 
The moon looked down on a smiling world, 
And no fairer sight could she there behold, ^ 
Than a youthful pair w^ho loverly strolled 
Along the banks of the gliding stream. 
Beneath her own bright, tender gleam, 
Led by the queen of the silver night 
To a wonderful sense of soft delight. 
Until, with shy agreement blest, 
The lover to his manly breast 
Folded his love and, lowly bowed, 



16 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Undying truth to the maiden vowed, 
Who yielded her lips to his ardent kiss, 
In a, rapturous foretaste of future bliss, 
While the moon behind a cloud withdrew, 
And a shadow over the lovers threw. 

() blissful, sweet and wondrous hour. 
When youthful lovers feel the power 
To soar above the ills of earth, 
And live in dreams of heavenly birth ! 
Alas, the evil fate that blights 
The freshness of such pure delights ! 
Oh ! why should iilial duty lend 
Its holy power to such an end ? 

The gentle maiden of my tale. 
Whom, to this hour, the loves bewail, 
Turned sadly from her lover's hand. 
Obedient to a stern command. 
Her father's lips the mandate spoke, • 



SYLVAN PICTURES. 17 

'Which love's divine betrothal broke, 
Thenceforth* her glowing visions flown, 
She dwelt amid her mates alone. 



O fathers ! stay the crnel blow, 
Which lays a daughter's spirit low. 
Better, with love, a troubled lot, 
Than velvet ease, where love is not„ 

Oh ! why do blight and cruel fate 

Ever on glowing beauty wait ? 

Why droops the flower 

At opening hour ? 

Wherefore, do lovers part ? 

Why breaks the guileless heart ? 

Why lays the maid her head 

Down in the narrow bed. 

Beneath the sod, 

The clay-cold clod ? 
2 



18 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

But why, O pleasant, flowery vale. 
Recall to mind so sad a tale. 
And memories of pale despair 
Intrude upon the peaceful air ? 

The flickering, fleeting, changing shade. 
By oak and waving chestnut made, 
Has filled my soul with plaintive thought. 
With tender memories inw^rouoht. 
Anon, upon my spirit's dream 
There flits a happier, gayer theme. 

See where beside a limpid stream, 
On which the mirrored sunbeams gleam, 
A maiden sits, with gaze intent ; 
Her eye on yonder scene is bent. 
Her book neglected on her knee ; 
She does not hear nor does she see 
A stranger youth, who, riding by, 
Cries ; Beauteous vision, which my eye 



SYLVAN PICTURES. 19 

Beholds with exquisite delight, 

Thou living dream of beauty bright, 

Say, does that lovely form enshrine 

A spirit human, or divine ? 

If mortal maiden thou art found, 

I've sought for thee, the v^ide world round ; 

I will thy name and home discover, 

And vow myself thy faithful lover, 

To distant lands I must depart. 

Short time have I to win thy heart. 

May Cupid speed the wooing ! 

One moon has waxed.and waned apace ; 
Behold the maid, with timid grace, 
Exchanging vows of love and truth. 
At Hymen's altar, with the youth, 
Who, soft in speech, and brave at heart. 
Had sought the aid of Cupid's dart. 
To win the maiden for his bride, 
* Who clingeth closely at his side. 



20 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

While starting on the untried life, 
Opened before the new-made wife. 
Repentance never will divide 
The nuptial knot so onicklj tied ; 

For Cnpid sped the wooing. 

O shady, sunny, flowery vale, 

Your flickering lights inspire my tale, 

While down the mossy rock 

S^viftly the crystal drops 

Glide and glisten, glimmer and glance, 

Then mingle together, clear and cool, 

A grateful draught in the shallow bowl, 

Which, flowing, they have wrought. 

Far in a wild, romantic dell, 
A sister spring doth meekly dwell. 
All rudely circled round with stones. 
And fashioned to a well. 



SYLVAN PICTURES. 21 

Springing in silence from the earth. 

As conscious of intrinsic worth, 

ISTor vainly seeking to allure, 

But offering a treasure pure. 

It gently overflows, 

And softly onward goes, 

And spreading all around. 

Upon the sloping ground, 

Lo, wheresoe'er it flows. 

The violet freely grows ; 

Yiolets here and violets there, 

Yiolets blooming everywhere, 

Violets of true-love blue, 

Yiolets of deeper hue ; 

Countless numbers o'er the mead, 

Blooming without stint or heed, 

While here and there are traces seen 

Of footways winding through the green. 

For far and near this fountain cold 
Is famed for virtues manifold ; 



'22 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

And many a drooping form forlorn 
Comes trembling, in tlie dewy morn, 
To qnaff, in water from the spring, 
Strength for life's weary wandering ; 
And maidens, blooming, bright, 
Maidens with glowing eyes. 
And healthful cheeks, bedight 
With nature's richest dyes. 
Come tripjDing to the well. 
To try its magic spell ; 
For mystic, hidden good 
Is in the welling flood. 

The maid wdio shall be first 
The chains of night to burst, 
Who, earliest at the spring, 
The webs aside shall fling. 
And who, with rosy lips. 
The pearly draught first sips, 
Shall all the graces win, 



SYLVAN PICTURES. 23 

Wliicli, liidden, are therein ; 
A beauty, blooming, bright, 
Eyes warm with loving light. 
An eager, active mind, 
A faithful heart and kind ; 
And lastly, for one week. 
Shall find whatever she seek. 
This the tradition old, 
Which neio^hborino: maidens hold. 

If lovers here should meet, 
Before they speak to greet 
Each other, they must drink 
Together, from the brink. 

If, in the pride of youth, 
The pride of love and truth, 
They slight the magic spell, 
Once laid upon this well. 
Enchantment weird of old. 



24: BOSK a2s1j ilTIiTLES. 

Misfortunes manifold. 
The strokes of angry fate. 
Upon their love shall wait. 

If, at the fountain side, 
A lover find his bride. 
And, hungering, he sips 
The nectar of her lips. 
Before, as would beseem. 
He M^ the magic stream, 
With dismal, dreary pall, 
Chanore and disaster fall 
Upon the happy dream, 
Which lovers changeless deem, 
While, in the quiet dell. 
Eternally doth swell 
The silent-springing well. 

Xear bv, but hidden br a wood. 
Long since, a lonely farm-house stood', 



SYLVAN PICTURES. 25 

Yine-covered to the eaves 

And draped with shining leaves ; 

The rose, the eglantine, 

And honey-suckle vine, 

All lovingly entwined, 

And gracefully combined. 

The garden spoke of skill 

And earnest, patient will, 

While orchards, meadows, cornfields green, 

With crimson hues and golden sheen. 

Far-spreading round the homestead old, 

Of plenteous, garnered harvest told. 

What bounteous goddess, fairy queen, 

Inspired that lovely, rural scene ? 

The farmer's daughter, fair and neat. 

Ordered and ruled the sweet retreat. 

]S^o longer young, no longer gay. 

But peaceful as the calmest day. 

Year after year, her gentle hand 

Swayed all around with mild command. 



26 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

Better than goddess, crowned was she 
With womanly benignity. 
From whence that gentleness divine. 
That loving smile, that look benign ( 
Alas I not all a flowinor stream 
Of peace, a glowing, happy dream. 
The maiden's life ; her memory held 
A nook where sad reminders dwelled ; 
And often, at the purj^le hour. 
She sat within a rustic bowdr. 
Of vines and willow withes inwrought, 
And mused with tender, wishful thought, 
Of one whom well she knew in youth. 
One oft remembered now with ruth. 
Of one who then with her had trod. 
The violet-dotted, dewy sod. 
The woodland leading from the well — - 
The magic, mystic, fateful well — 
Urging that they should cleave 
United to each other ; 



SYLVAN PICTURES. 27 

While she refused to leave 

Her father and her mother ; 

Tlieir youngest, dearest comfort she ; 

Left lone by her they ne'er should be. 

Then, forth upon a rugged world, 
In dreary disappointment hurled, 
The man, of stern and stubborn mold, 
With love forbidden to unfold. 
Thwarted and vexed by adverse fate, 
Eager to win, but forced to wait, 
With heart repressed, witli stormful soul, 
Rushed, fiercely seeking Fortune's goal ; 
O'erwhelming, crushing, seizing all 
That haply in his grasp might fall. 
To sate his hungry, selfish greed. 
His eager lust for wealth to feed ; 
All heedless of a neighbor's pain. 
Conducing to his sordid gain ; 
Yet longing for the joys of life. 
Despite the toil — despite the strife. 



28 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

The race for fickle Fortune run. 
The goal attained, her favors won, 
With store of pelf to call his own. 
Yet sad, despairing and alone, 
Bj magic, love's resistless might. 
Drawn in the silent honrs of night, • 
He longs, he hopes, he dreams, he sighs ; 
Before his fancy visions rise ; 
Bemembered day-dreams, lost but sweet ; 
He seeks, at length, the calm retreat, 
Where, in the lonely willow bower. 
At lang syne even's trysting hour. 
The maiden, with her faithful heart, 
Keeps vigil of her love apart, 
Till, darkening o'er her spirit's light. 
As dusky twilight ushers night, 
The shade of buried feeling creeps. 
And memory, faithful, brooding, weeps. 

Oh I weep no longer, gentle bride ; 
Henceforward, ever, side bv side 



SYLVAN PICTURES. 29 

With liiin for whom thy heart has yearned, 
Thy bridegroom, lover, home returned, 
At lang syne even's trysting hour, 
Thou'lt linger in the rustic bower, 
While softly, sweetly, nesting nigh. 
The mother birds sing lullaby. 

O glorious, golden, sunset hour ! 

No longer lonely willow bower. 

O life of sweet satiety 

And ever-new variety ! 

O shady, sunny, flowery vale ! 

Whose flickering lights inspire my tale, 

Those lives, long parted, sundered wide, 

Now flowing in one blended tide. 

Have called to mind a distant scene. 

Where, swelling through the mosses green. 

High on a craggy mountain height, 

Two springs leap gayly into sight. 

Two lusty streamlets, purling brooks, 



30 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

With waterfalls and sudden crooks ; 
From rock to rock they briskly slide, 
And murmur gayly, side by side, 
With many a frolic twist and freak, 
Till, parted by a rugged peak. 
And seeking freer scope, 
One down a gentle slope, 
Pursues her tranquil course. 
Moving with quiet force, 
While countless blessings lie 
Around her, passing by. 
She feeds the waving reeds. 
Supplies the lily's needs. 
Bedews the creeping vine. 
Revives the browsing kine. 
While, as she onward flows, 
And deep her channel grows, 
Her widening basin fills, 
From tributary rills. 



SYLVAN PICTURES. 31 

The other nimble mountain spring, 
Stopped rudely in meandering, 
And headlong plunged, with frantic leaps, 
Ad own a thousand jagged steeps. 

Crashing, dashing, 

Foaming, splashing, 
Down whirling from the mountain's height, 
A torrent of resistless might. 
On through the rocky channel speeds, 
Nor obstacle nor dalliance heeds, 
Till, captured by a master will, 
'Tis forced to turn the busy mill. 
Then through the wide-spread plain it winds. 
And there its sister streamlet finds. 
Two noble rivers, deep and fleet. 
They meet, and mingling as they meet. 
There in the valley's space. 
With broad and placid face, 
A lake of goodly size, 
The blended water lies : , 



32 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

Xow commingled, one forever, 
Deeply flowing, silent, strong, 

On its trusty bosom ever. 
Safely floats its charge along. 

shady, sunny, flowery vale, 

Your flickering lights grow dim and fail, 
^hile evening spreads her dusky veil ; 
Xo longer on my fancy's wing 
Your lio:hts and shadows beautv flin^, 
And wanton c^avlv while I sino^ ; 
As home I wend, at closing day, 
Alonor the flower-scented wav. 

1 linger in the twilight gray ; 

Again, my muse, your brightness shows. 
And in the dark with beauty glows. 



GIVE ME LEAVE TO LOVE. 33 



GIVE ME LEAVE TO LOYE. 

Oh ! to lay, for life, for death. 

My head upon thy faithful breast ; 
There to draw my latest breath, 

Where I have found my life-long rest ! 
I pray thee, give me leave to love ; 
And never will my fancy rove. 

Oh ! to taste the purest bliss, 

Which life to mortal man can give ; 
To know the rapture of thy kiss, 
My own so long as both shall live. 
I pray thee, give me leave to love ; 
And never will my fancy rove. 

Oh ! to hold within my arms 

A very heaven of pure delight ; 
3 



34 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

To know tlij love, with all its cliarms, 
]VIy own by dearest, surest right. 
I pray thee, give me leave to love ; 
And never will mv fancv rove. 



THE TTILLOWS. 

Dip — dip — the weeping willows, 
DijD — dip — in the tiny billows ; 
The placid lake is broad and clear, 
Its depths a starry heaven appear, 
While dip — dip — the weeping willows, 
Dip — dip — in the tiny billows. 

Urged onward by a wild despair, 
With hurried step and frantic air, 
A mortal seeks the lonely shore — 
Yet but one step and all is o'er ; 



THE WILLOWS. 35 

Hark ! he hears the weeping willows, 
Dip — dip — in the tiny billows. 

He casts a look in the starry deep, 

One look ere he takes the fatal leap ; 

Shall a mirrored Heaven be the door 

Of a burning Hell f orevermore ? 

He lifts his eyes to the shining dome ; 

He lifts his thoughts to that happy home, 

Which the Father prepareth for such as he ; — 

He sinks to earth on bended knee. 

Crying, " God be merciful unto me " ; — 

And God, who loveth a broken heart. 

Comfort and healing doth impart ; 

While dip^dip — ^the weeping willows, 

Dip — dip — in the tiny billows. 



36 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



QUESTIO^^S. 

Ask a maiden of the fancies, 

Unawakened yet, which sleep 
In her heart, which lightly dances, 

While its bounding pulses leap ; 
Question of their merry glances, 

Eyes which have not learned to weep. 

Ask a lover of the burnings 

Through his throbbing heart which surge ; 
Ask him of the countless yearnings 

Which his brain to madness urge. 
In their fruitless, vain returnings, 

Driving him unto its verge. 

Ask a mother w^hy it bringeth 
To her bosom such a glow, 



THE FRUITLESS CHASE. 37 

When her little baby clingeth 
To her breast as pnre as snow, 

While sweet liiUabys she singeth, 
Tender soothings, soft and low. 



THE FRUITLESS CHASE. 

Beneath the red sun's burning rajs, 
On one of August's fiery days, 
Through devious, dusty, winding ways, 
I chased a butterfly. 

Returning from the fruitless chase, 
With fever kindling on my face, 
I sadly mourned my foolish race, 
To win a butterfly. 



38 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Long on my restless bed I tossed ; 
The prize which had so dearly cost, 
For which my health I rashly lost, 
Only a butterfly. 

Such, cried I, is the fate of those, 
Who, lured by dazzling gauds and shows, 
Will follow, wheresoe'er she goes, 
A giddy butterfly. 

Winding about in crooked ways. 
Delusive paths of folly's maze, 
Through fevered nights and weary days, 
They chase a butterfly. 

They lose their strength and length of yeai^s ; 
Amid remorse and bitter tears, 
The tempting prize at length appears 
Only a butterfly. 



MY LOVK 39 



MY LOYE. 



1^0 queenly beauty is my love, 

With, jeweled coronet ; 
My love is like the cooing dove, 

Or fragrant mignonette. 

Content to nestle at my side, 

A trusting, loving wife ; 
1^0 vain desire of power, no pride, 

Disturbs her peaceful life. 

And like the unpretending flower. 
With qualities most meet 

Her gentle graces fill my bower 
With pleasures pure and sweet. 

My winsome love, so fair and gay, 
With dove-like charms and wiles. 

Can steal oppressive cares away. 
And win my heart to smiles. 



40 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

SWEET MAY-ELOWEES. 

Sweet May-flowers are bonny, 
They hide themselves away ; 

I went, one day, with Johnny 
To seek the flowers of May. 

The May-flowers were bonny, 
When, light of heart and gay, 

I wandered far with Johnny 
Along the woodland way. 

Sweet May-flowers are bonny ; 

A merry, blithesome day, 
Was that I spent with Johnny 

In seeking flowers of May. 

Sweet May-flowers are bonny. 
All hidden snug away ; 

I'll go again with Johnny 
To And the flowers of May. 



YOUNG MAIDS IN MAY. 41 



>5 . 
3 



YOUKG MAIDS IN MAY. 

Young maids in May 

Go singing on their way ; 

Ah ! one might pass a day 

AVith fair young maids in May, 

Who sing, " Sweet May-flowers are bonny 
Heigh-ho ! Yonng maids are bonny. 



Young maids in May 
Go singing all the day ; 
To bliss they lead the way, 
Those fair young maids in May, 

Who sing, " Sweet May-flowers are bonny " ; 

Heigh-ho ! Young maids are bonny. 

Young maids in May, 

All blooming, blithe and gay ; 



42 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

All ! one might learn the way 
From fair young maids in May, 

Who sing, " Sweet May-flowei*s are bonny " ; 

Heio^h-ho ! Youno: maids are bonny. 

Young maids in May 
Go singing on their way ; 
Ah I one might go astray 
With fair young maids in May, 

Who sing, " Sweet May-flowers are bonny '' ; 

Heigh-ho I Young maids are bonny. 



THE POET AXD THE CLOUDS. 



POET. 



Ye glorious clouds, whence come ye, whither tend. 
Dread thunder portents of majestic mien { 



THE POET AND THE CLOUDS. 43 

A marslialled army from the skies ye speed ; 
Sharp flashes lightning on your frowning front ; 
Your thunders roar ; earth trembles at their sound. 

The contest o'er, the conquered earth subdued, 
Swift ye return upon your airy space ; 
Children of heaven, again the skies ye seek. 

Tenant of earth, I breathe a sordid air, 
Your state I envy, and your lofty sphere. 



CLOUDS. 

Nay, child of man, thy words, of folly breathe ; 
Thou reckest naught of nature's subtilty. 

From earth first sprung, the earth our final goal. 
A brief, bright hour we hold a noble state. 
Then sink to earth, lost in. her grimy deeps. 



44 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Destined for Heaven, that realm thy spirit craves. 
And fain above the chains of earth would soar, 
Impelled, aspiring, to a high estate ; 

Thence, all thy longings for a lofty sphere ;' 
Thy purpose reaching to sublimity. 

Aspire ; attain ; immortal, live for aye. 
While we, the earth-sprung vapors, pass away. 



MEMOEIES. 

We were married in the Autumn, 
In the season of content ; 

And exulting in its sweetness, 
All our honey-moon we spent. 



NEW-YEAR'S EVE AND MORN. 45 

But of honey for our wedlock 
Love had gathered such a store, 

That although we feast upon it. 
Still our treasure yields us more. 

In the years we've lived together, 
Many changing moons we've seen ; 

But, in rough or pleasant weather. 
Each a honey-moon has been. 



JSTEW-YEAK'S EYE AND MOKK 

Soft and thickly falls the snow. 
On a dreary ]^ew- Year's eve ; 

Madly do the wild winds blow, 

"VYhile the Old Year takes his leave, 

And the young 'New Year perforce 
Enters roughly on his course. 



46 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Dawning fair, without a cloud, 
All the IS^ew- Year's morn beholds 

Is the white and dazzling shroud, 
Which the scars of earth enfolds ; 

All the landscape, every where, 
Smiling, beaming, purely fair. 

Covered by the spotless snow, 
All the fields and meadows lie ; 

!N^ot a trace by which to know 
Aught of busy days gone by ; 

Yet those buried fields are now 

Seamed and furrowed by the plough = 

Joying in his glad young strength, 
Laughs in glee the merry sun. 

Heedless of the toilsome length 

Ere the twelvemonth's course be run ; 

Yet that weary, woeful race 
Soon will dim his smiling face. 



WHAT IS LOVE? 47 

Gladdened by liis cheerful beams, 
Joy we, comrades, laugh and sing ; 

Once more dream we pleasant dreams. 
This year may fulfilment bring ; 

Pass the friendly wish around, 
May this year in joys abound. 



WHAT IS LOYE? 

FIRST YOICE. 

What is love ? The wildest folly. 

Dire infatuation. 
Does love entice thee ? 

Fly, Oh ! haste thee ! 
Fly for thy salvation ! 



48 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Love is a grievous ill. Once in the snare, 
Thou'rt parted from thy judgment to discern 
'Twixt right and wrong, the evil and the 

good. 
Blinded by love, all will seem fair to thee ; 
All gentle and all good. Thou wilt neglect 
Thy home, thy friends, thy duty, and wilt 

spend 
Thy life's best strength in winning that which 

won 
May prove a thorn to rankle evermore. 
Kay, fly from love. It leads us far astray ; 
If thou would' st wed, let reason guide the way. 

Love is ever wildest folly, 

Dire infatuation. 
If love entice thee, 

Fly, Oh ! haste thee ! 
Fly for thy salvation. 



WHAT IS LOVE? 49 

SECOND VOICE. 

What is love ? A voice from Heaven ; 

Angel invitation. 
Does love invite thee ? 

Hear ! Oh ! heed thee I 
Hear the invitation. 

Behold 
A crowded room, gay robes and brilliant lights, 
Perfume of flowers and music of the dance. 
Beside a garden window overhung 
With snowy garlands of the bridal rose 
Stand man and maiden in the dream of life. 
Alone amid a crowd. JS^o eye gives heed ; 
Ko voice disturbs their blissful dream. They 

stand. 
Hand clasped in hand, and she with downcast 

eyes, 
In joy new-found, too deep, too still for words, 
Till by the lull of music half-aroused. 



50 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

How can they now return into the crowd 
And gaudj glare of lights ? Xay rather forth 
Upon the terraced walk — There, arm in arm, 
Wrapped bj the moon in cloak of silver light, 
They linger, gazing toward the star of love. 
So will they walk together through life's vale, 
Each all-contented with the other's love, 
And ever looking toward their guiding star. 

Love is ever sent from Heaven, 

With angel invitation, 
If love invite thee,- 

Hear and vield thee 

V 

To love's solicitation. 



THE BROKEN HEART. 61 



THE BEOKElSr HEAET. 

O MOTHER, let me lay my head 

Upon tliy loving breast ; 
Youth's snnny dreams from me have fled, 

I only long for rest. 

Dear mother, while I lay my head 

Upon thy yearning breast, 
My heart, by cheating hope misled, 

Still vainly longs for rest. 

O mother, hold my aching head 

Upon thy faithful breast ; 
Ere long, among the quiet dead 

Thy weary one shall rest. 



0-2 KOSES AXD MYRTLES. 



TEEE AXD EIVER. 

TEEE. 

TThither sjDeed you. restless river I 

Whither i TTliitiLer i 
'While so eagerly you quiver ; 

Whither i Whither i 

KIVER. 

Forth to swell the mighty ooean : 

Swellino:, swellino:, 
Boimdless mass, in surging motion ; 

Swelling, swelling. 

Thither speed I, restless river ; 

Thither, thither: 
While %vith eagerness I quiver ; 

Thither, thither. 



UNDER THE SNOW. 53 

In the vast of heaving motion 

Lost, to vanish ; 
In the grandeur of the ocean, 

Gladly vanish. 



UNDEE THE SNOW. 

Under the snow there's a promise growing, 
Rich and bountiful, warm and bright ; 

A promise of milk and honey flowing, 
Of earth in summer glories dight. 

Under the snow for the spring-time's pleasure, 
The teeming earth keeps warm her heart ; 

So my darling shields her bosom's treasure, 
With a snowy veil of maiden's art. 



5i ROSES A^'D MYRTLES. 

Under the snow of her queenly coldness. 

Glows and gladdens a promise bright ; 
Melting the snows into tender boldness, 

To bless mj life with a rare delight. 



PEXSIVE DEEAMIXG. 

Oh ! the sweet, the pensive dreaming, 

Of this cloudy, sunless day : 
All my cares and trials seeming 

From my hie to fade away. 

Heavenly love seems brooding o'er ns. 
Shielding ns with ont-stretch'd wings ; 

TVatchincr tenderlv before us, 
Warding off all hurtful things ; 



PENSIVE DREAMING. 55 

While our hearts, with timid quaking, 

Heed the warning call of love ; 
Refuge from all evil taking 

In the mighty power above. 

Like the trustful birdies creeping 

Close within the downy nest ; 
Snugly and securely sleeping, 

Underneath their mother's breast. 

May the sweet, the pensive dreaming 

Of this cloudy, sunless day. 
Chasten, and with softened feeling 

Temper all life's weary way. 



56 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



SWEET YIOLET. 

Of all the flowers tlie garden shows, 
The lowliest one, that meekest grows, 
And liides its unobtrusive head 
Beneath the leaves which fill its bed, 
Is sweetest, dearest, best of all ; 
Sweet violet, the gem we call. 

Of all the maidens, fair and kind, 
The lowliest, meekest one we find. 
Who hides her graces, pure and rare, 
Far from the world's unveiling glare, 
Is sweetest, dearest, best of all ; 
Sweet violet, the maid w^e call. 



LULLABY. 57 



LULLABY. 



Bye, baby, bye, 
Lullaby on my breast, 

Bye, baby, bye. 
Little bird in her nest ; 
Lullaby, lullaby, lull. 

Bye, baby, bye, 
My soft little dove ; 

Bye, baby, bye, 
Pretty rose-bud of love ; 
Lullaby, lullaby, lull. 

Bye, baby, bye. 
Till the dav Vins to blink 

Bye, baby, bye, 
Nor wake for a wink ; 
Lullaby, lullaby, lull. 



58 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

Bye, baby, bye, 
Little sun beaming bright ; 

Bye, baby, bye, 
Lullaby all the night ; 
Lullaby, lullaby, lull. 



A DECADE. 



Ten years ago, in marriage vows, 

I pledged my love to thee ; 
My heart, my life, and endless truth ; 

And thou didst give to me, 
Most solemnly, thy plighted troth. 

Ever mine own to be. 

Ten years have passed, my vow is kept, 
Unbroken, until now ; 



THE BARD. 59 



My life, my faith, untiring love, 
I've given thee ; and thou 

Hast recompensed my constancy 
With thy dishonored vow. 



THE BAKD. 

Oh ! do not trust the bard, 
He takes delight in lying ; 

And while he sings for joy. 
Declares that he is sighing. 

When, glad of heart, he smiles. 
He prates of deadly sorrow ; 

And if, perchance, he grieve, 
Will notes of gladness borrow. 



60 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

I knew a poet once, 

AYliose cup o'erflowed with blessing, 
With happiness and love, 

And fortune's blind caressing. 

Propitious at his birth, 

The lavish goddess smiled ; 

And with the joys of earth 
Endowed this favored child. 

And yet the cunning wight, 
With many a doleful ditty, 

Lamenting o'er his plight. 
Demanded tender pity. 

He sang of loss and pain, 

And while he lived in gladness, 

Employed his happy life 

In plaintive songs of sadness. 



BREATH OF THE MORNIXG. 61 

Then never trust a bard, 

Melodiously lying ; 
He, while he lives in joy. 

Will vow that he is sighing. 



BEEATH OF THE MOENING. 

A MADRIGAL. 

Breath of the morning ! 

Breathe on my rose ; 
With freshest adorning, 

Bedeck her repose. 

Fondle her tresses. 

Free, flowing veil. 
With gentlest caresses 

Of soft, wooing gale. 



62 KOSES AND MYRTLES. 

Wake her with singing 
Of birds on the wing ; 

A gay chorus winging, 
Their matins to sing. 

Greet her awaking 

From love, in a dream, 

With rosiest breaking 
Of day's dawning gleam. 

All that is meetest, 
All that is bright, 

Waft to my sweetest, 
To wake her delight. 



EDITH BEFORE THE LOOKING-GLASS. 63 



EDITH BEFOKE THE LOOKING-GLASS. 

Before a glass stands little Edith, 
Attracted by her own sweet face ; 

Its infant loveliness she heedeth, 
And marvels at the baby grace. 

She marks each changing smile and dimple, 
The rosy cheeks and dancing curls. 

With bright blue eyes, so frank and simple. 
The prettiest of little girls. 

Then slowly, softly, half-unwitting. 
Her lips those mirrored beauties meet ; 

Unconscious tribute, well-befitting. 
Beauty so innocent and sweet. 



6i ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 



GENTLE AXXIE DAY. 

Will jou of azure truest and rarest ? 
Will JOU of roses freshest and fairest ? 
Will JOU of nectar sweetest and purest ? 

Seek gentle Annie Day. 

Will vou of love-thoughts, tenderest, deej^est ? 
Will JOU of love-looks, shjest and sweetest ? 
Will JOU of love-deeds, freest and fleetest ? 
Woo gentle Annie Daj. 

Have JOU a heart for love, fervent and true ? 
Have JOU an arm to shield, brave will to do ? 
Then boldlj seeking her, gallantlj woo, 

Win o^entle Annie Daj. 



THE MORNING-GLOKY. 65 

THE mok:n^ing-glory. 

I WILL hide me in the earth, 

I, poor seed ! 
I am small and hard, not worth 

Much indeed. 
In the soft and mellow ground. 

Buried deep, 
I shall nevermore be found, 

Where I sleep. 

If a useful grain of wheat. 

Golden corn, 
Or for any service meet, 

I were born, 
Then right gladly to the mill 

Would I give 

My small body ; with good will 

Cease to live. 
5 



QQ KOSES AND MYRTLES. 

Then, beyond the light of day, 

Out of sight. 
Sank the lowly seed away 

Into night. 
But the life-producing mold 

Did its form 
Snugly in its bed enfold. 

Soft and warm. 

Into life sprang up the seed, 

New and fine ; 
'Not a useless, cumbrous weed, 

But a vine 
Strong and green, which met the Sun 

Every day. 
With new blossoms, every one 

Fresh and gay. 

Climbing on the roadside wall, 
Free and bright, 



THRICE-TRIED. G7 

It rejoiced the hearts of all 

At the sight. 
Then the seed which had been changed, 

Bj God's hand, 
Knew that all was well-arranged, 

Wisely planned. 



THEICE-TKIED. 

Theice tried, thrice broken and a third time 

healed, 
Now is my soul at rest ; her safety sealed ; 
Here have I gained at length life's placid stream ; 
Here is it given me to rest — and dream. 

Thus spake a wanderer, travel-worn and gray ; 
AYhose feet had travelled far life's weary way. 



68 EOSES AND MYRTLES. 

While trembling on his lips the word still hung, 
Again with sudden grief his heart is wrung ; 

O fool ! and slow to learn ! he sadly cries ; 
Did'st dream of rest and peace below the skies ? 
Oh, that mj spirit wings had like the dove I 
Then would I flee awaj and be at rest ; 
Only in Heayen can the soul be blest. 



SONIS^ET. 



Whex we with urgent will our wish require, 
God hearkens not ; we ask, but ask in yain ; 
When we a blessing from the Lord desire, 
Faith only may His gracious fayor gain ; 
Faith in His proyidence, faith in His loye, 
Faith in the wisdom of His mighty will ; 



ISABEL. 69 

Faith in God's majesty, all might above, 
Faith in His power His promise to fulfil. 
When to our Father's feet our wish we bring, 
Obedient to His will our wills incline. 
His tender bounty gives each needful thing, 
And shapes our destiny with love divine ; 
Love far beyond the scope of mortal men, 
Their best conceptions and their wisest ken. 



ISABEL. 

Look not with an evil longing, 
On the dainty Isabel ; 

Harbor no desire of wronging 
The lovely maiden, Isabel. 



ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

Oui' villa o:e pride, our villao:e beaut v. 

Is mirthful, merrj Isabel ; 
You ne'er can lead astray from duty 

The modest maiden. Isabel. 

With gold and jewels you may try her. 

They're dust and dross to Isabel : 
Tour wealth and lands can never buv her, 

My honest-hearted Isabel. 

In yonder cottage, hour by hour. 
She minds her work, brave Isabel ; 

Xo lordly heir of wealth and power 
May ever mate with Isabel. 

In spring-time, when the birds were pairing, 

I told my love to Isabel : 
With ardent wooing, boldly daring, 

I won the heart of Isabel. 



WELCOME. 71 

High Heaven to our witness taking, 

I plighted troth with Isabel ; 
Her vow she ne'er will dream of breaking, 

My loyal maiden, Isabel. 

I've wrought with vigor in my calling, 

I've gained a home for Isabel ; 
And thither, when the leaves are falling, 

I'll take my bride, my Isabel. 



WELCOME. 



Sweet dove, thy sheltered nest 
Shall be my loving breast. 

Here hide thy fluttered heart. 
Chased by the venomed dart. 



72 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Here quiet thine alarms, 
Safe here within my arms. 

Here rest thy watchful eyes, 
Here breathe thy grateful sighs. 

Sweet, gentle-hearted dove, 
Here thou art welcome, love. 

Flee from the evil air, 
Where oft doth lurk a snare. 

Here reach no powers of ill, 
To work their evil will. 

Fled from the stormful height. 
To lowly, calm delight, 
No terror shall affright 
My dove, by day or night. 



THE SOLDIER'S BABE. 73 



THE SOLDIEE'S BABE. 

A MOTHER is weeping, 

While the world is all sleeping, 

Sobs frequent, heart-breaking 

Betoken her woe ; 
Her baby is dying, 
In her clasping arms lying. 
Her all death is taking, 

Her idol must go. 

The word has been spoken. 
And her fond heart is broken, 
Long, long ere day-breaking. 

Her cup shall be filled ; 
The moments were numbered, 
Till her boy in death slumbered, 
^0 skill nor pains-taking 

Can change what God willed. 



74 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Insatiately gazing 

Into blue eyes fast glazing, 

Press kisses, sad mother, 

On cheek, brow and neck ; 
Once more to see clearly 
The sweet face loved so dearly, 
Your agony smother, 

Your blinding tears check. 

To God who has given. 
Lift the heart which is riven. 
He ever is heeding 

The prayers which we send ; 
Your darling yet liveth. 
And the Father, who giveth 
An ear to our pleading, 

In mercy may bend. 

O Savior, most holy, 
Hear thy suppliant lowly, 



THE SOLDIER'S BABE. 75 

Thou, Victor art reigning 

O'er death and the grave ; 

Thy power in blessing 

Ever chiefly expressing, 

Show pity in deigning 

Our treasure to save. 

In battle engaging, 

In the fore-front's wild raging, 

His father is daring 

The wrath of the foe ; 
O Father, All Holy ! 
Heed thy suppliant lowly. 
Our precious one sparing. 

His father to know. 

A struggle — a gasping — 
And the mother is clasping, 
Distractedly screaming, 

A form without life ; 



7G ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

The fierce conflict ended. 



On the greensward extended, 
A soldier is dreaming 

Of baby and wife. 

The mother still weepeth, 
While her boy in death sleepeth. 
The soldier undaunted 

l!^ew danger has braved ; 
The Father, most holy. 
To his suppliant lowly, 
This answer has granted, 

Her darling is saved. 

He's saved from all evil, 
From the world and the devil. 
From sorrow and sighing, 

From pain and from sin ; 
Redeemed and sainted, 
Before God all untainted, 



THE SOLDIER'S BABE. 77 

Tlie infant in dying, 

Such blessing doth win. 

Then, mother, cease weeping 
O'er the babe in death sleeping. 
His spirit immortal 

Is safe in God's love, 
His messenger heeding. 
Upward eagerly speeding, 
It passed through death's portal, 

To glory above. 

At the coming of Jesus, 

Who from sin and death frees us, 

The body which perished 

Immortal shall rise ; 
Exalted, victorious. 
Inconceivably glorious, 
The babe you have cherished 

Shall reign in the skies. 



78 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



ACCEPTANCE. 

Yes ! both mj hands and all my heart, 
All that I am I gladly give ; 

And wilt thou nevermore depart, 
Ever beside thee may I live ? 

Oh ! May I always hear thy voice, 
Be welcome ever at thy side ; 

And will thy noble heart rejoice, 
In imion with me to abide ? 

O blissful day ! O glad ! O sweet ! 

Oh ! thus to look upon thy face ! 
Nay, dearest, seated at thy feet. 

Here is my longed-for resting-place. 



SPRING TOKEN. 79 

Oil ! Lay thy Lands upon my brow ; 

Thus lay them softly on my head ; 
Oh ! I have longed to be as now, 

My heart is healed. My griefs are fled. 



SPEING TOKE^. 

There's a glint of the spring in the sunshine this 
even, 

Said Delia, one late winter's day ; 
A glinting of spring, like a token from Heaven, 

Gives a glow to the sun's parting ray. 

So when life's weary winter is nearing its ending. 
And we count the few days ere its close ; 

A gleaming of spring-tide eternal, transcending. 
Sheds a glow from above on our snows. 



80 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



ELFIN LAY. 

Teip — trip — tra — la — lay — 
Merrily sound the elfin lay ; 

Merrily ring, 

Cheerily sing, 
Gallant elf and sprightly fay. 

Trip — trip — tra — la — lay — 
Airily dance till dawning day ; 

In fairy ring, 

Daintily swing, 
And floating zephyrs lightly sway. 

Trip — trip — tra — la — lay — 
Answering echoes far away, 

Lively and gay, 

Echo the lay. 
Fairies sing till break of day. 



A SIMILITUDE. 81 



A SIMILITUDE. 

Behold this lowly plant. The simple leaves, 
Glossy and lanceolate, and lightly swayed 
By softest airs that blow, make all its claim 
To beauty ; all its show of fair array. 
It bears, indeed, a blossom ; all plants bloom. 
By rule of nature ; but with sparing hand, 
1^0 brilliant hues she granted here, no form 
Symmetrical, but hid the modest flower 
Beneath the leaves, from which its paler tint 
Is scarce discernible. 'No fragrant breath 
Is wafted toward us from the tiny shrub. 

Why ask I for such insignificance 

So much regardful thought ? 

Reach forth your hand. 

And press between your fingers one small leaf. 
6 



82 KOSES AND MYRTLES. 

What ravishes the sense, and fascinates, 
While sweet, entrancing odor fills the air ? 

Henceforward this small plant 
Is valued as a charming source of pleasure. 
So the All-wise creates, sometimes, a heart, 
Which, while the calm, unruffled, cloudless days 
Of prosperous earthly life glide swiftly by, 
O'erfull of joys and glowing hours of bliss, 
Exhibits no peculiar excellence. 

But when the hand that made, 
Crushes the tender spirit, that it thrills, 
God gives the poet-soul the power to breathe 
Itself in dulcet strains of wondrous music, 
Soul-stirring, powerful notes, which the charmed 

ear 
And listening heart of all, own God-created, 
And yield Him praise. 



APHORISMS. 8B 



APHOEISMS. 

Unbend the bow, relax the strain, 
Or seek the arrow's speed in vain. 

Unbend the mind, relax the brain, 
Or seek the arrowy thought in vain. 



TO A PAEEOT. 

O Polly, cease your senseless gabble ! 

Your noisy laughter, shrieks and shouts. 
May serve to please the vulgar rabble 

Of giddy maids and lazy louts. 



84 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

But, PoUj, when a man of learning 
Is fain to ponder weighty themes, 

Your parrot tongue his brain is turning, 
With vengeful deeds his fancy teems. 

You, Poll, appear to him in vision, 
With glazing eyes and broken neck ; 

Your tongue, with lunatic derision, 
He takes, his gloomy den to deck. 

Then, Polly, when you see a student, 
Intent upon his musty books. 

Take my advice, poor Poll, be prudent, 
Kor twit him with his sombre looks. 



LOVE. 85 



LOYE. 

Love stays not long witli maids who slight his 

pleading ; 
The flames of love need dextrous, dainty feeding ; 
'Tis but a fable wrought for hearts' undoing, 
To keep your love, be deaf to all his wooing. 

Love is a timid, wary guest, 
Whose temper 'tis not wise to test ; 
Give him rough, unhandsome using. 
And straight he flits, another choosing. 



86 ROSES AM) MYRTLES. 



OXCE I LOVED. 

Once I loved, and loving, fancied 
Love like mine mnst meet retom ; 

Such a flame of love, enMndled. 
Should not, could not, vainlv burn. 

All too soon I learned full surely. 

Learned with heart-c-onsuming pain. 
Love like mine that burned so wildly, 

Could be, would be, all in vain. 



LILY. 87 



LILY. 

Fairest of summer flowers, 
Sheltered in garden bowers, 
Child of the sunny hours, 
Lily, my Lily. 

While dewy breezes blow, 
While summer sunbeams glow, 
Ere blight of sin or woe 

Sully my Lily ; 

Comes from the angel band 
One who, with gentle hand, 
Up to the sunny land. 

Bears my sweet Lily. 



88 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



WEAEY YEAES AGO. 

Life was bright and sunny, 

All the hours were light, 
Hope, in fairy visions 

Flamed upon the sight, 
All the past and present 

Flooded in the glow 
Cast upon the future 

Weary years ago. 

Not a mist of sadness 

Dimmed the prospect bright ; 
'Not a breath of coldness 

Boded of the night ; 
Not the faintest shadow 

Of the clouds of woe 
Chilled the dawn of transport 

Weary years ago. 



WEARY YEARS AGO. 89 

Day-dreams pure and liappy 

Revelled gay and bright, 
All the fleeting moments 

Trembled with delight, 
Hearts knew naught of sadness, 

'No heart-breaking throe, 
In the day of gladness 

Weary years ago. 

Like the early snowflake 

Vanished into air, 
Like the beauteous rainbow 

Evanescent, fair. 
All the brilliant visions 

Lost their fairy glow. 
All the prospect darkened 

Weary years ago. 

Dark, o'er all the future, 
Clouds of sadness lie ; 



90 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

E^ot a gleam of brightness 
Lights the frowning sky ; 

Gloomy forms of darkness 
Heavy shadows throw 

From the clouds that gathered 
Weary years ago. 



A SWEET LITTLE BIKD. 

A SWEET little bird in the tangled bushes ; 

Sing low, sing cheery ; 
Sing, little bird, the world-old tune ; 

Sing to your dearie. 

A snug little nest in the tangled bushes ; 

Sing low, sing cheery ; 
Sing, little bird, the world-old tune ; 

Sing to your dearie. 



A SWEET LITTLE BIRD. 91 

Five tiny eggs in the snug little nest, oh ! 

Sing low, sing cheerj ; 
Sing, little bird, the world-old tune ; 

Sing to your dearie. 

Five tiny birds in the snug little nest, oh ! 

Sing low, sing cheery ; 
Sing, little bird, the world-old tune ; 

Sing to your dearie. 

Fly, little birds, from the tangled bushes ; 

Fly far, sing cheery ; 
Sing, little bird, the world-old tune ; 

Sing to your dearie. 



92 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



LO^^ PEICELESS. 

It is an old-world maxim, taught of yore, 

If one, for love, would offer all his store, 

If, for the priceless boon, love's quenchless flame. 

He'd give his all of substance freely brought, 

The paltry essay, tried unto his shame, 

Would be contemned, unworthy of a thought. 

Love strong as death, love deeper than the grave, 

Meek as the lamb, and like the lion, brave, 

Bold as the eagle, gentle as the dove, 

^o wealth of precious stores can purchase love. 

Born of the breath of God, man's nobler part. 

Child of the soul, plant of a noble heart, 

A heavenly germ, borne in the soil of earth, 

IS^one but a godlike soul can give it birth. 



THE BROKER'S SONG. 93 



THE BKOKER'S SOl^G. 

Talk not to me of eyes and kisses, 
Of clinging arms and moonliglit hour ; 

Talk not to me of love's soft blisses, 
My heart has never owned love's power. 

Talk not to me of raven tresses. 
Of dewy lips and snnny locks ; 

Talk not of lover's fond caresses ; 
I'd rather hear the price of stocks. 

Let others cherish vain illusions. 

My heart is proof against their sway ; 

Unsound investment, love's delusions, 
I'm quite assured it would not pay. 



94 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



BUDS AND BLOSSOMS. 

Buds and blossoms we 
On the parent tree ; 

Shyly peeping, 

Slowly creeping 
Forth the world to see. 

Looking forth between 
Floating veils of green, 

We are gazing 

On a mazing 
Wilderment of scene. 

Earth, in gala drest. 
Gorgeous, glowing vest. 
Wide-extending 
Beauties blending, 
Festive, east and west. 



BUDS AND BLOSSOMS, 95 

Bounteous mother, Earth, 
Smile upon our birth ; 

Kindly nourish 

That we flourish 
Into noble worth. 

Breezes, gently blow ; 
Genial sunshine glow. 

Ardor beaming 

Cause our streaming 
Sap to rise and flow. 

Feed us, humid air, 
Fill our petals fair. 

Finely winding 

Yeinlets finding 
Juices fresh to bear. 

Yivid rays of light ' 

Hither wing your flight ; 



96 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Fiery darting 
Warmth imparting, 
Tint with rose our white. 

Buds of promise we 
Blooming fair to see ; 
Fragrance breathing 
On the wreathing 
Winds that flutter free. 

Of us, every flower. 
Hidden, folds a dower, 
]!^ow enfolden 
Gleaming golden 
Ripe in autumn's hour. 



THE DAISY. 97 



THE DAISY. 



A SINGLE flower upon a lowly bed, 
First-born, new- wakened to a bright, brief life, 
Dew-nourished, sunrise-tinted, wrought of heaven, 
The daisy — ^bud of promise — eye of day. 

A maid uprisen fair from rosy sleep. 
Her cheek warm-kindling at the kiss of morn, 
Floats in the sun-light to the daisy bed, 
Severs with eager hand the lowly stem. 
And lifts the floweret to a lip of love — 
'Tis Marguerite, our tender household plant. 
Just budding into blooming maidenhood. 

A maiden form, silent and cold in death, — 
An open grave upon a grassy slope — 
Bury the early dead beneath the sod, 
And plant the daisy on the new-made grave. 



98 ROSES AXD AirRTLES. 

Our qiiiet home — no more with laughter gay, 
Xo tripping step, no early morning song — 
Our Marguerite, our bnd of promise, sleeps, 
Waiting, in peace, the resurrection mom, 
While daisies yearly bloom above her grave. 



BLISS. 



Whex soft the warbler trills his tender note, 
When rosy cloudlets 'thwart the azure float, 

When couches Phoebus in his golden state. 
Then leaps my heart to meet its genial mate. 

When morn her portal opes to greet the day, 
When beams the earth with mingled beauties gay 
When glows all nature at SoFs ardent kiss. 
Then wakes my heart in sweetly wedded bHss. 



TO CHLOE. 99 



TO CHLOE. 



Cupid, saluting, pierced my lips 
With darts, the arch deceiver ; 

Dear Chloe, lend your damask cheek, 
To cool their burning fever. 



A LAMEl^T. 



He loved me not. He loved my cheek's warm 

glow; 
The roses blooming on a bed of snow. 
He loved me not. He loved the beaming eye, 
The cherry lips that breathed for him a sigh. 
He loved the snowy bosom's classic mould, 
The rounded arm, the soft bright curls of gold. 
Not me he loved. He loved my form so fair ; 
]^ot me — ^but my gay laugh and lightsome air. 



100 KOSES AND MYRTLES. 

He loved me not. O maids who hear my woe, 
Freelj for me let tears of pity flow. 
I gave him all a tender maiden gives 
To him in loving whom alone she lives. 
My love so strong drove even death away ; 
He spared the victim whom he came to slay. 
The tyrant left me to my lover's arms, 
But drew so near, he blighted all my charms. 

O Death ! that I had died ! with thee had flown, 
Before my ardent lover cold had grown ; 
Before I wandered lone, by him forgot ; 
He loved me not ! Ah me ! He loved me not. 



LINES TO 



Just eight and seventy years ago, to-day 
Since 'thon, a helpless infant, cradled lay, 
J^ew-born, and with a living soul endowed ; 



PUSSY, 101 

'No loving heart, no mind illumed by age, 
The wealth of noble talents could presage. 
Which to thy spirit's portion were allowed. 
But now all climes, all peoples know the power. 
Which budded in thee at thy natal hour. 



PUSSY. 



Pdssy, why so sentimental ? 

Meditate you, in a trice. 
Something very detrimental 

To the world of rats and mice ? 

Is it simply accidental. 

That you wear so grave a face ? 
Merely something incidental 

To the quiet time and place ? 



102 KOSES AND MYRTLES. 

Does that look of meditation 
Cover thoughts of anxious care ? 

Are you deep in cogitation, 

How your prey you may ensnare ? 

Why, O Puss, so consequential. 
As you move about the house ? 

Win you thus such deferential 

Peeps from every skulking mouse ? 

Fierce your eyes' quick scintillations, 
When his mouseship you espy ; 

Well-content your cantillations, 
While you watch your victim die. 

Creature formed of contradictions, 
Soft and gentle, fierce and sly ; 

Favorite of witchcraft fictions, 
With the broomstick in the sky. 



FATE. 103 



FATE. 



The evenings come and the evenings go ; 

The mystic moon is greeting, 
Each evening, with her purest glow, 

Two lovers, at their meeting. 

The evenings come and the evenings go ; 

The tender moon shines ever ; 
But Fate has dealt a cruel blow, 

Those loving ones to sever. 

The evenings come and the evenings go, 
With silvery moonbeams lighted ; 

But moonbeams lift no shades of woe 
From lives thus grief-benighted. 



104 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



THE BLmD GEAISTDFATHER 

Aye, Marj, jou maj roll my garden-cliair, 
Out on the lawn, beneatli tlie old elm-tree ; 
The sun is almost set, and while his rajs, 
In parting, linger warmly on my brow, 
I'll dream myself back to the happy days, 
When these blind eyes could see and feast upon 
The sunset gorgeous in the western sky. 

Even now I see as with mine eyes, for still, 
While memory, ever faithful, with me dwells, 
What I have seen or known, at any time 
During my life that's past, is all my own. 

While memory is true ; but if she e'er 
Kefuse to answer to my eager call. 
Then dark, indeed, will be the little span, 
Remaining to me of too long a life. 



THE BLIND GRANDFATHER. 105 

Dark — dark — all dark ; I tlien shall grope my 
way, 
Seeking, still seeking for my treasures lost ; 
Yet vainly seeking till I find my grave. 
Thrice welcome, then, my ever welcome grave ; 
In finding thee, all I have lost is found, 
Sight, memory, strength, and my beloved wife. 
Too fondly she was loved, too early lost ; 
And oh ! such loss ! 

My Mary, thou art like her ; 
Thy full, round form, thy soft, warm cheek. 
Thy small, sweet mouth, which oftentimes doth 

press 
Upon thy grand sire's lips — 
Wrinkled and old and withered though they be. 
So soft and warm a kiss — 
Even now — 

My darling child ! 
Thy blind old grandfather could almost think 
That time had wandered backward fifty years. 



106 EOSES AXD MYRTLES. 

To those brief, happy days, when she was here, 
When her soft arms were round my neck, and 

thus 
She la\^shed tender kisses. 

This summer eve brings back to me the days, 
TThen she and I were yonng, and when we were, 
As you and Gerald are. 

I loved her. To be near her, and to look 
Upon her soft, fair cheek and calm, clear brow, 
To watch the drooping lids, the dawning smile. 
To meet the open brightness of her glance. 
To see the dimples dancing on her face. 
Which seemed the very dwelling-place of all 
Of beautiful and good that earth contains. 
To listen to the happy, laughing voice. 
The merry jest, the soft caressing words : 
This made my happiness. 
Sincere and valued ; yet I longed for more ; 
I longed to touch that cheek or kiss that brow ; 
I longed to sit beside her, and to tell 



THE BLIND GRANDFATHER. 107 

How all my heart was wrapped up in the love, 
Which dwelt in me for her. 

I longed for more. 
And so my heart lived for her ; when I worked, 
Or thought, or wished, or hoped, 'twas all for her ; 
To fit for her approval all my powers ; 
To make myself more nearly fit to stand 
Beside her as an equal. So I lived. 
And loved her, and she frankly, sweetly, still 
Looked on me, smiled on me, and freely talked. 
As to a cherished brother. 

In her lieart 
'No hidden love for me held traitorous sway, 
To pale her cheek, or send the tell-tale blush, 
In sudden crimson o'er the brow and neck, 
Calmly she met my look, and her dear voice 
J^ever awakened hope in my fond heart. 
By timid faltering or by causeless check. 
In accents firm and clear she spoke her thoughts, 
Words grave or playful, as her mood might stand, 



108 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

And so unconscious seemed she of my love, 
So frank, so friendly and so pure in heart, 
That on my lips as close a seal was placed, 
As if my longing thoughts had been forbidden. 

By neither word nor token could I dare 
To show the warmth and passion of my heart. 

Surely she loved me not, it could not be. 
That she could keep all sign of tender thoughts 
So closely hidden from my eager watch. 

Thus my heart whispered, and I held my peace. 
But ah ! one blessed, blissful eve — 
A summer evening, still and soft and warm. 
Our walk had brought us to the rocky beach, 
And sitting there she looked upon the sea. 
She watched the white sails slowly moving on, 
The sunbeams sparkling in the briny foam ; 
She looked upon the sea. I looked on her. 
But when the sun had set, the waves grown dark, 
And now she rose to go, she met my look. 
She trembled, sighed and blushed — 



MARRIAGE BELLS. 109 

Hark ! Marj, love ! 
There's Gerald at the gate. Aye, sweet, my 

child, 
Roll back the garden-chair. I'll dream. I'll 

dream. 
Go walk with Gerald by the river-side. 



MARRIAGE BELLS. 

Oh ! Hearken how they ring ! 

The merry marriage bells. 
Oh ! Hear the maidens sing 

And listen to the bells. 
There's the voice of a sigh in the tone of each bell ; 
The voice of a sigh and the toll of a knell. 



110 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

Thej tell a wondrous tale, 

Those merry marriage bells ; 
We lift the bridal veil, 

And listen to the bells. 
There's the voice of a sigh in the tone of each bell ; 
The voice of a sigh and the toll of a knell. 

They till our hearts with fears, 

Those merry marriage bells ; 
With sighs and falling tears. 

We listen to the bells. 
There's the voice of a sigh in the tone of each bell ; 
The voice of a sigh and the toll of a knell. 



A DREAM. Ill 



A DREAM. 



I DREAMED a dream the other night, 
A dream of love and beauty bright ; 
And ever when the dreams alight, 
That vision brings me new delight, 

I dreamed a dream of evening breeze. 

Of dewy grass and leafy trees. 

Of twilight hum of busy bees. 

Of flowers that vie to win and please. 

I dreamed of lovers in their pride, 
Together at the eventide ; 
A happy husband with his bride, 
In love and honor well-allied. 

Those lovers under sunset sky, 
Mingling together sigh with sigh, 



112 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

While evening shadows hover nigh. 
Those lovers, love, vrere yon and L 

And must the blessed vision be 
Only a dream for you and me ? 
Or, waking, may I hope to see 
My dream become reality? 



MIETH AKD WINE. 

While mirth and wine go roundj 
Let Pleasure rule the hour ; 

Let songs and smiles abound. 
To gladden Pleasure's bower. 

While mirth and wine go round. 
Let Pleasure be our guest ; 



WONDROUS WITCHING. 113 

Let merriment resound, 
Obeying her behest. 

While mirth and wine go round. 

Away with Prudence grave ; 
Let every heart be found 

Gay Pleasure's eager slave. 



WOIS^DEOUS WITCHIlSrG. 

O WONDROUS witching of a thrilling voice ! 
Whose magic mystery of subtle power, 
Entranced my spirit in a fatal hour, 
And made my heart in ecstacy rejoice. 

O voice of music tuned on heavenly strings. 
Echo of angel voices in its tone, 
Of all on earth that tuneful voice alone 
Seemed qualified to breathe love's murmurings. 



114 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

O pleasant voice, whose potent, secret spell, 
And syren music with tempestuous sweep, 
Troubled the waters of the tranquil deep 
And stirred the heart with wild, tumultuous swell. 

O voice attuned to love, but not for me, 
Whose welcome, sweet familiar baleful sound — 
Melodious enchantment — ^held me bound, 
Till, in despair, I rallied strength to flee. 

O voice long lost, long banished from my ear, 
A plaintive memory of a well-known strain, 
Whose mellow tones once wrought my bitter pain. 
The voice which thrilled my soul I dare not hear. 



SPRING-TIME IS COMING. 115 



SPKmG-TIME IS COMING. 

Spking-time is coming 

Hear the wind blow ; 
See tlie sun sparkle ; 

See the grass grow ! 
Spring-time is coming 

Hear the streams flow ; 
Hear the hens cackle ; 

Hear the cocks crow. 
Spring-time is coming, 

Feel its warm glow ; 
See the bright showers ; 

Hear the wind blow. 

Spring-time is coming 
Look where you will ; 

See the young lambkins 
Frisk on the hill ; 



116 ROSES AST) MYRTLES. 

See the blue blossoms 

Lovely and still, 
Hidden away neai- 

The clear little rill. 
Hear the wood robin 

Hear his gay trill ; 
Spring-time is coming, 

Feel its glad thrill I 



LITTLE TTHITE VIOLET. 

Little white yiolet, wild wood flower. 
Tour home is a cool, seclnded bower. 
The queen of fairies honors you. 
Above your sisters robed in blue, 
With dainty blossoms, pure and sweet, 
Whose perfume is a fairy treat. 



LITTLE WHITE VIOLET. 117 

The leafy nook in which you grow, 
Unsullied as the flakes of snow, 
Is watered by the purest dew, 
And never dry, the summer through ; 
And always, on the moonlit eves, 
A dance is held upon the leaves ; 
Each little blossom quits her bed. 
And trips it till the moon has fled, 
But when the day begins to peep 
Each pretty rogue is sound asleep ; 
Then, when the sun begins to rise 
You open all your timid eyes, 
And, meekly hidden, outward gaze 
To greet his early morning rays. 



Little white violet, wild wood flower. 
So calm you look in your leafy bower. 
So placid in the dewy shade, 
Deep in the most retired glade, 



118 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



Who would suppose that all the night 
You'd dance with silver moonbeams bright ? 
Oh ! you're a lovely, wild wood pet, 
You little, sweet white violet. 



HEAET-PAIK. 



Heaut-pain ! Have you felt it ? Ye scoffers and 
scorners, 
Have you felt its dread weight on the heart, 
Never lightened a moment by cares or by 
pleasures. 
And marking its victim apart ? 

Apart from his comrades in youth and its gladness, 

Apart in life's busiest years ; 
In age still a victim of anguish and sadness, 

Poor heart, overburdened with tears. 



TO ANNA. 119 



TO A'Nl^A. 



"What need I costly works of art, 

Bv sculptors wrought with tedious care ? 

While, throned upon my Anna's heart, 
Her bosom mocks their marvels rare ? 

•What need I diamonds sparkling bright, 
With richest ray of famed Golconde, 

While Anna's eyes with dazzling light, 
Beam far those flashing gems beyond. 

What needeth she for gauds to sue ? 

The artist Monarch of the day 
Paints, fond, his fairest, purest hue 

Of beauty, for her cheeks' display. 

Why need I seek the perfumed bowers, 
Where conscious art defects would hide ? 



120 ROSES AND MYKTLES. 

My Anna's breath ontsweetens flowers. 
That blossom on the meadow side. 

My Anna, fairest, loveliest, best, 
Folded within thy matchless arms, 

1 find upon thy glowing breast, 
A talisman 'gainst all that harms. 



ASK ME ^^OT. 

Ask me not w^hy I borrow 
Inspiration from grief ; 

I have said that my sorrow^ 
Finds in song a relief. 

Let the heart that is broken 
Strive to laugh and be gay ; 

Still of anguish some token 
Will it ever betray. 



POETS. 121 

For a smile beams but sadly 
From the tear-burdened eye ; 

And a laugh ringing gladly 
Dies away in a sigh. 

Marvel not that I borrow 

Inspiration from grief ; 
For my heart, in its sorrow, 

Finds in song a relief. 



POETS. 



Poets know a living joy, 
A laughing exultation ; 

Happiness without alloy. 
Marvellous sensation. 

Poets see with wondrous light 
Lent to earth from Heaven ; 



122 KOSES AND MYRTLES. 

Poets wield a heavenly might, 
From God to mortals given. 

Poets live a life more near 

The angel and immortal, 
Than aught else on this mundane sphere ; 

IN^earer the golden portal. 

They live above 

All earthly love, 
Earth's sorrows touch them lightly ; 

They sing sweet lays, 

The live-long days, 
And dream of heaven nightly. 

Let me rejoice. 

With gladdest voice. 
That in my soul were planted 

The seeds of bliss. 

So great as this. 
Which Heaven to me hath granted. 



SONG. FLY, MAIDEN! 123 



SONG. FLY, MAIDEN! 

Fly! Maiden! fly! 
Too late, for Love hath found thee. 

Sigh ! Lover ! sigh ! 
Love in his toils hath wound thee. 

Fly, maiden, fly ! 
The snares of Love surround thee. 

Sigh, lover, sigh ! 
Love in his chains hath bound thee. 

Fly, maiden, fly ! 
A favored moment taking. 

Sigh, lover, sigh ! 
Thy heart is doomed to breaking. 



124 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



SHE LOYES ME XOT. 

She loves me not. She heedetli not my sigh. 
My looks of love meet her averted eye ; 
My fond request she quickly doth deny, 
She loves me not. Thus bitterly you cry. 

Oh ! Make not moan with such a bitter cry 
Love's signal flames in her averted eye, 
^^ith eager sense she hears and heeds your sigh. 
But will in self-defense your vish deny. 

Then take the cautious maiden by surprise : 
Detect the traitor lurking in her eyes ; 
Demand her secret ; tax her with her sighs, 
And blushing, trembling, in your arms she lies. 



NOTHING AND NOBODY. 125 



NOTHmG AND NOBODY. 

Nothing and nobody ! Sorrowful lot ! 
Hidden away in poverty's cot — 
In sorrow and evil a child was got ; 
For joy and honor and love are not 
In nothing and nobody's pitiful cot. 

Nothing and nobody's penniless child, 
By squalor and famine and vice defiled, 
Away from the grimy depths beguiled 
By a pitying angel of good, who smiled 
On nothing and nobody's wondering child ; 

Nothing and nobody, offspring of woe, 
Lovingly beckoned the way to go 
Away from his misery, loathsome and low. 
Away from his ignorance, direst foe 
Of nothing and nobody, heir of woe ; 



126 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Then sheltered, protected, cultured, and fed, 
Taught of wisdom and virtue, and tenderly led 
In those practical pathways of knowledge to tread, 
Round which the bright glory of fortune is spread, 
And pressing, right manfully, on to the head ; 

E'ow, founder of charities, noble and grand, 
Patron of industries, lord in the land. 
Judge o'er his fellow-men, keeping his stand. 
By wisdom of heart and by firmness of hand, 
See nothing and nobody, lord in the land. 



MERRY CHRISTMAS MORNING. 

With busy note of warning, 
The clock, on Christmas morning, 
Strikes one — two — three — 
Young voices full of glee 

Shout " Merry Christmas morning." 



THE BRIDAL EVE. 127 

Awakened by the chorus 
Of voices ringing o'er us, 
With quick, glad cry, 
We eagerly reply, 

" A Merry Christmas morning." 

Rejoicing at the warning, 
We hail the Christmas morning ; 
With deep, glad joy 
The early hours employ. 

To welcome Christmas morning. 

C3 



THE BEIDAL EYE. 

Eyes that ask for no concealing, 
Frankly on each other dwell ; 

Freely in that gaze revealing 

Greater love than words can tell ; 



128 EOSES AND MYRTLES. 

Love wliicli, with its ardent flushing, 
Glowing through the tender frame. 

Kindles maiden cheeks to blushing ; 
Blushes without tinge of shame. 

Fitting seal of pure caressing 
Manhood gives, in loving j)ride, 

Fervently a kiss impressing 
On the fresh lips of his bride. 

Then to Heaven's watchful keeping, 
Man his cherished one doth leave, 

And the maiden, sweetly sleeping. 
Dreams away the bridal eve. 



MILDRED. 129 



MILDRED^ 

When I sought mj Mildred, 
In the beech- wood grove ; 

All mj heart's devotion 
To declare I strove. 

Lost in sighs, the story, 

Only half was told, 
When my love I ventured 

In my arms to fold. 

Pleading softly, Mildred, 

Blessing of my life, 

Be my own, my treasure. 

Be my precious wife. 
9 



130 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Well I knew slie loved me, 
Though no word she spoke. 

On the silence blissful 
Not a whisper broke ; 

Though her eyes were downcast, 
And, with dainty lid 

Like a cherry blossom 
All their sweetness hid ; 

For she nestled toward me 

Like a snowy dove, 
With the gentle love-trick 

Taught of trustful love, 

And her sweet mouth trembled 

Like a leaf in May, 
Which the soft, warm breezes 

Kiss and coax all day. 



DISTANT MUSIC. 131 

Mildred, lovely Mildred 

Blessing of my life ! 
]N^ow my own, my darling, 

'Now my cherished wife. 



DISTAISTT MUSIC. 

Distant music greets the ear ; 

What cheer ? Good cheer ! 
Listen, brothers ! Hark, we hear 

It near, more near ! 
What imports the glad refrain ? 

Again ! Again ! 
Victor notes of lofty strain ! 

'Tis plain, 'tis plain. 



132 KOSES AND MYRTLES. 

Yes ! the race so long begun 

Is done, well done, 
Tliej who faithfully have run 

Have won, well won. 
Onward press we to the prize ! 

Arise ! Arise ! 
Past the portal of the skies, 

There lies the prize. 

Distant music greets the ear 

With cheer ; good cheer, 
Listen, brothers, now we hear 

It near, more near. 
What imports the glad refrain ? 

Again ! Again ! 
Victors boast, in joyful strain. 

Of gain, great gain. 



WOE. 133 



WOE. 



Woe sounds the angel's trump, 
And at the dread alarm, 
The devils flee in rout, 
The dead in Christ rise up 
And raise their mighty shout. 
And at the joyful sound 
The elders cast their crowns 
Before the great white throne, 
And raise the victor's song ; 
Glory to God alone ! 



THE LOST BIKD. 

Empty and lone the bird-cage swings ; 

Our little feathered pet 
And his delightsome carol ings 

We shall not soon forget. 



134 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Early and late, from morn till night, 
The skillful songster trilled 

His varied notes, and fresh delight 
The fleeting moments filled. 

Wearied and sad though I might feel, 

His lively, ringing voice 
My pensiveness away would steal, 

My weary heart rejoice. 

Of tuneful song and plumage gay, 
To please the eye and ear ; 

More precious to me day by day 
And every hour more dear. 

The fact was settled in my mind, 
As fixed as fact could be, 

In all the world one could not find 
So fine a bird as he. 



THE LOST BIRD. 135 

Oft said I, when for liberty 

Mj birdie seemed to plead, 
Reared ever in captivity, 

Freedom he cannot need. 

Within the limits of a cage 

This songster saw the light, 
Content with such an heritage 

He never longs for flight. 

Flitting on restless, fluttering wings, 

From perch to perch again. 
To him a state of bondage brings 

'No weariness or pain. 

Although within a narrow bound 

A prisoner he must be, 
A willing prisoner still is found 

One who was never free. 



136 EOSES AND MYRTLES. 

Delusive hope, robbed of its sting. 

Dread slavery to see ; 
Know ye tbat every living thing 

Still pinetli to be free. 

Absent from home, a trilling space 

I left my valued bird ; 
Returned to my accustomed place, 

A sad account I heard. 

My bird had flown, gone far away, 
From tenderness and care ; 

I sought him vainly, day by dayg 
A long time, every where ; 

Long after his too fragile form 
Had met untimely death. 

And in some heavy, drowning storm, 
Had lost its little breath. 



A CONCEIT. 137 

While safely in a cage confined. 

For liberty he sighed, 
For liberty the captive pined, 

At liberty, he died. 



A COI^CEIT. 



I HAVE often observed, with no little surprise. 
That no wife loves her husband so well as her 

boys. 
And I fancy that herein the mystery lies. 
That, although he's the partner and source of 

her joys. 
Her sons are her own from the first breath they 

draw. 
While he's ever the son of her mother-in-law. 



138 ' ROSES AXD MYETLES. 



FOETY TIMES. 

FoKTY times 'twixt morn and niglit, 

Comes a little cherub bright, 

A very Cupid to the sight, 

And with arms around me clasped, 

Hugging tight 

With all his might, 

Pressing kisses on mj lips. 

Murmurs soft and low and sweet, 

We do love each other ; don't we ? 

Mimic angel ! golden head ! 
Words are all too cold and dead ! 
Whither has the word-god fled ? 
He must coin me something new, 
Fitting epithet for you ; 
But until we something iind 
Better suited to our mind. 



ON RECEIVING A NOSEGAY. 139 

We must still the old words use, 
I^ew life into them diffuse. 
Come then, cherub, clasp and kiss me ; 
We do love each other ; don't we ? 



O^ EECEIYING A NOSEGAY FEOM 
MY LADY-LOYE. 

A NOSEGAY of sweets from mj lady fair ; 
Soft colors and bright, and odors rare, 
With forms of fairy gayety ; 
Such is my lady's gift to me. 

A message of love from my lady dear ; 
Love tender and strong and drawing near, 
But veiled with maiden modesty ; 
Such is my lady's gift to me. 



14^.) EOSES AXD MTETLES. 

A garland of joy froin mj lad j fair ; 
A claster of o^races bloominor there. 
The crown of sweet virginitT ; 
Such is my lady's loye to me. 



A EIDDLE. 

Ox the dashing waterfall 

I dance ; 
Through a creyice in the wall 

I glance. 

Mountain peaks of sombre shade 

IgHd: 

And the valleys by my aid 

Are tilled. 



A RIDDLE. 141 

In among the meadow grass 

I creep ; 

Oft witliin a looking glass 

I peep. 

Many pictures, rich and rare, 

And qnaint. 

Forms of beauty, glowing fair, 

I paint. 

Blooming summer's wreath of flowers 

I weave ; 

Ripened fruits for harvest hours 

I leave. 

Joy to all who see my face, 

I give ; 

Waking life in every place, 

I live. 



142 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

All my bounties I impart 

With zest ; 

But to shine within a heart 

Is best. 



BEETIE. 

O Baby Bertie, summer-faced, 
Happy the household you have graced, 
These eighteen months, with infant wiles, 
With tricksy pranks and sunny smiles. 

You cunning little cherub wight ! 
With roguish eyes so blue and bright, 
Always looking for a frolic, 
You jolly, bouncing little rollick ! 



BERTIE. 143 

Is papa wearied out and cross, 
Or moody at some business loss ? 
You pull his whiskers, pinch his nose. 
Till every gloomy shadow goes. 

Only to see you dance a jig, 
And get yourself in such a rig, 
Makes quiet mamma laugh and shout, 
To see you kick yourself about. 

You sometimes waken nurse's ire. 
By pitching slippers in the fire ; 
But then you laugh and coax and kiss. 
Till nurse declares there's naught amiss« 

Your infant wisdom, joyous laugh — 
But words will fail to tell the half ; 
You are a cherub angel sent 
To bless our household with content. 



144 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

When, half awake, and half asleep, 
You pray the Lord your soul to keep, 
And sink into your rosy rest. 
You're sweetest, then, and loveliest. 

Our hearts look up with every morn, 
Since you unto our love were born ; 
With such an angel for a guest. 
Our home is surely heaven-blest. 



WOO THE MUSE. 

Woo the Muse, with ardor woo ; 

]^ot lightly is she won ; 
She claims allegiance firm and true ; 

All others must you shun. 



SOLILOQUY. 145 

"Woo the Muse, with ardor woo, . 

Not lightly is she won ; 
Your gifts and graces all are due, 

She claims them, every one. 

Woo the Muse, with ardor woo, 

Not lightly is she won ; 
With all your being must you sue, 

As pagan to the Sun. 



SOLILOQUY. 

I HEAR the falling rain-drops 

Patter on the window pane ; 

I can hear them striking sharply, 

But I cannot see the rain. 
10 



146 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

Oh ! I long to see as I used to see 

The silvery summer showers, 
Falhng in welcome blessing 

Upon the thirsty flowers ; 
To see the golden sunbeams, 

Shining through the diamond drops, 
And the heavenly bow of promise, 

Resting on the mountain tops. 



When the sun rides high in glory 

I still wander on in gloom ; 
And the sounds of earth come strangely 

To me in my living tomb. 
At the day-dawn drear I long to see 

The earth, all fresh and fair, 
Looking, in blooming beauty, 

Up through the tranquil air. 
To greet her glorious bridegroom, 

When he cometh from the east, 



SOLILOQUY. 14-7 

A giant rejoicing to run his course, 
To their merry marriage-feast. 

I grope my way in darkness, 

To the fields of velvet grass ; 
And the gentle, perfumed breezes 

Kiss me softly, as they pass. 
I hear the lambkins bleating. 

As they skip about all day ; 
I hear the rippling streamlet. 

Gliding swiftly on its way. 
And I know the wild flowers near it 

Blossom brightly, fair and gay. 
All the wealth of l^ature's beauty 

Is a treasure hid from me. 
And I cry out in the darkness. 

Blessed are the eyes which see. 



148 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



SOKG. OH! LOOK INTO MY HEAET, 

LOYE. 

Oh ! look into my heart, love ; 

Look deep, I do not fear ; 
The sacred inmost of mj heart 

Is pure and true and clear. 

Look freely ; for my heart, love, 

Has only room for thee ; 
No rival, lurking, hidden, 

Usurps thy right in me. 



PASSING STRANGE. 14.9 

PASSING STEANGE. 

Oh ! passing strange to be a wife ! 

In bands of love, in bonds for life 
Oh ! passing sweet to be a wife ! 

To live for love, to love for life. 
Oh ! Honej sweet the name of wife ! 

A name of love, of love for life. 
To live in love, be loved through life, 

Ah ! this it is to be a wife. 



WILLIE. 



The morn was bright. 

And mj heart was light. 

When Willie embarked on the treacherous sea ; 

The sky was clear, 

And I felt no fear, 

For soon my brave Willie would come back to me. 



150 KOSES AND MYRTLES. 

In a rose-covered bower, 

I dreamed' of the hour 

When Willie returning would stand by my side^ 

In his beauty and strength, 

To receive at length 

The heart and the hand of a loving bride. 

The time flew by. 

And I learned to sigh 

At the boisterous gale and the dashing wave ; 

With my heart like lead. 

Through unspoken dread 

That my Willie would lie in an ocean grave. 

Long years have passed, 

And I know at last, 

That Willie can never return to my love ; 

And I know as well. 

That we both shall dwell 

In undying life in the world above. 



CUPID AS A FORTUNE-TELLER. 151 

And my heart is blest, 

When in sleep I rest, 

With dreams of a blissful life on high ; 

And I wake to feel, 

When in prayer I kneel. 

That for sorrowing hearts it is joy to die. 



CUPID AS A FORTUNE-TELLER. 

Professing, in the book of fate to read, 

Love turns the leaves ; 
Thus simple mortals slyly to mislead. 

The rogue deceives. 

Conning, with aspect innocent and sage. 

The lines, he seeks ; 
Feigning it ordered on the trusted page, 

False counsel speaks. 



152 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

While foolish mortals, like a swarfn of bees, 

Buzz round the boy, 
Who, like the Delphic oracle decrees, 

Their ill or joy. 

With honeyed accents, he the witless fools 

Leads far astray ; 
Then, while their wild, delusive ardor cools. 

Mocks their dismay. 



SUMMER HOUES. 

Borne on the odorous breeze. 
And garlanded with flowers. 

Come, gayly smiling, to our love 
The ecstatic summer hours. 



SUMMER HOURS. 153 

We welcome them with song, 

With joy we hail them ours ; 
And revel in the full delight, 

The entrancing summer hours. 

With rippling songs of birds, 

Warbled in viney bowers, 
Echo the music of our souls, 

Ye witching summer hours. 

Exhale your fragrant breath. 

Your blooming wealth fling wide, 

Swift-flying daughters of the fair 
And glowing summer-tide. 

Fleet through the ambient sweets. 

Bathe in ambrosial dew. 
Then, slumbering, veiled in dreamy night. 

Your morning pride renew. 



154 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Short-lived your radiant bloom, 
Soon sped your transient day ! 

Could we but stay your circling flight, 
Bright hours that waft away. 



THE FIEE-FLY. 

Flashing, flashing, hither, thither, 
Fire-fly, wherefore, whence and whither? 
Lightning flashing, beauty sparkling. 
O'er the meadow, in the darkling ; 
Through the coppice, in the hedges. 
O'er the misty, goblin sedges. 
"What, O tire-fly, wings your fleetness ? 
Does the floweret's honeyed sweetness 
Tempt you in her cup to vanish ? 
Gloomy shadows hence you banish, 
Flitting, flitting ; Oh ! to hold you, 
In my clasping hand to fold you ! 



THE FIRE-FLY. 155 

Ha ! tlie antic star I've captured, 
Gem which held my gaze enraptured, 
Gently at my booty peeping, 
Lo ! a dingy insect creeping ; 
JS^ot more dull the sober quaker. 
Or the rigid, sombre shaker ; 
While I marvel, while I ponder, 
Swift as winged lightning yonder, 
Forth afar the starlet flashes. 
O'er the marshy, meadow plashes. 

Ah ! 'tis love that guides your wheelings. 
Round about the lowland shielings, 
Through the dusky night shades fleeting ; 
Ther^ with glowing love-mates meeting. 
Sipping dew-drops, nipping tansy, 
Settling on the velvet pansy. 
Fitful fire-flies' lovelights shimmer. 
Till the dawn from Orient glimmer. 



156 ROSES A^'D MYRTLES. 



TO EYA, ON HEAEIXG OF HEE 
BETEOTHAL. 

Whex hearts and hands are plighted, 

And Hfe is glad and bright, 
Then hearts by love united 

Dwell in a realm of light ; 

Life may have care — it may have sorrow, 

May have for them a share ; 
They love to-day — they'll love to-morrow ; 

Love is their only care. 

Love is not in our power ; 

Love comes to us from God. 
He, in His chosen hour. 

May use it as a rod. 



TO EVA, ON HER BETROTHAL, I57 

Let all who love in gladness 
Give God the praise that's due ; 

Some hearts are filled with sadness 
Bj love both fond and true. 

But, Eva, hearts united 

Have only room for joy ; 
And love, by love requited, 

Is bliss without alloy. 

United love be ever 

Your Heaven-appointed lot ; 
A love which liveth ever. 

Which grows, and dieth not. 



158 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 



DAlSrCIXG. 



XoT a poem on dancing ! 
That time-keeping prancing, 
Marked with ogling and teazing, 
And underhand squeezing, 
With much billing and cooing, 
And some serious wooing : 
Whj, mj dear Mr. Poet, 
'Tis divine ; don't jou know it ? 



ALOXG THE EIYER. 

Aloxg the river, 

The quiet river, 

There floats a free, wild song ; 

The mountain echoes, 

The phantom echoes, 

Catch the song, as it floats along. 



ALONG THE RIVER. 159 

From whence the mnsic, 

The virgin music, 

The merry, free, wild song ? 

Where lurk the echoes. 

The mimic echoes. 

For the song, as it floats along ? 

From glen and mountain. 

The wooded mountain, 

Blithe soars the free, wild song ; 

The river breezes, 

The light-winged breezes. 

Chase the song as it floats alongo 

A dark-haired maiden, 

A bright-eyed maiden. 

Is singing the free wild song ; 

The clear notes rally 

The herd from valley 

And hill, as it floats along. 



160 EOSES AXD MYRTLES. 



LIFE AXD LOYE. 

Ah I Life and love and hope ! 
Ah I Hope, thou life of love ! 
Ah ! Love, thou hope of life, 
Dearer than life above. 

Oh I Life and love and joy ! 
Oh I Love, thou joy of life I 
Oh I Life I thou joy of love, 
With myriad blisses rife ! 



MY HEART IS ALL ONE DREAM OF LOVE. 161 



so:n^g. my heakt is all one 
dkeam of loye. 

My heart is all one dream of love, 
A dream of love for thee ; 

Dispel the vision of my heart, 
And what is left for me ? 

My life is all a dream of love, 

Love glorifying thee ; 
Destroy the idol of my dream. 

And death is left with me. 

11 



162 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



THE DESPAIEma. 

Wild, in the gloaming, 
Aimlessly roaming. 
Sunk in despair, 

Brokenly drooping. 
Fell demons swooping, 

Konnd on her glare. 

How doth she languish. 
Wasted with anguish. 
Once she was fair. 

Woefully groaning. 
Dismally moaning, 

Now sinks she there. 



THE DESPAIRING. 163 

With voice in its sadness 
Breathing of madness, 
No tear nor prayer. 



Prone in her sorrow, 
Whence can she borrow 
Hope for the morrow, 
Help from despair i 



Lo, to her vision 
An apparition, 
From worlds Elysian, 

Floats through the air. 

Greatly she feareth, 
When it appeareth. 
But a voice cheereth 
With message rare ; 



164 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Here to thee, failing, 
Sinking and wailing, 
Doubting and quailing, 
I bring repair, 

From realms of gladness. 
Where is no sadness 
JS^or dreary madness, 
In upper air. 

Hence in thy sorrow, 
Hope thou maj'st borrow, 
Life for the morrow. 

Help from despair. 

Then on. her sadness. 
Moaning and madness. 
Steals a strange gladness. 
Wondrous and rare. 



RESIGNATION. 165 

Now her brow lightens, . 
]N"ow her look brightens, 
Now she is fair. 



EESIGNATION. 

When sudden, deadly blight 
Was sent from God, 

And o'er my heart's delight 
Was laid the sod. 

Then with a fearful might 
I felt the rod. 

When o'er my heart's delight 

Was laid the sod, 
And all that made life bright 

Was claimed by God, 
Grace taught my heart aright 

To kiss the rod. 



166 ROSES A^TD MYRTLES. 

^ow o'er mv heart's delight 
Grows green the sod ; 

When, throngh life's dreary night 
My path I've trod, 

I'll find my heart's delight 
In life with God. 



CEADLE SOXG. 

Sleep, babv, sleep ; 

Ivocked in mothers arms. 
My own baby, sleep ; 

Mother's arms are strong. 
Sleep, baby, sleep ; 

Sleep, sleep. 



CRADLE SONG. 167 

Sleep, baby, sleep ; 

Mother is wide awake, 
My own baby, sleep ; 

Mother's heart keeps guard. 
Sleep, baby, sleep ; 

Sleep, sleep. 

Sleep, baby, sleep ; 

Cradled soft and warm, 
My own baby, sleep ; 

Pillowed on my heart, 
Sleep, baby, sleep ; 

Sleep, sleep. 

Sleep, baby, sleep ; 

Father's darling pride, 
My own baby, sleep ; 

Cradled by my side. 
Sleep, baby, sleep ; 

Sleep, sleep. 



168 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Sleep, baby, sleep ; 

Father's pretty boj, 
My own baby, sleep ; 

Mother's darling joy, 
Sleep, baby, sleep; 

Sleep, sleep. 



MY CHILDEEK 

READING FEOM ONE BOOK, 

Heading from one book, 
How beautiful they look, 
Robbie and little Jess ; 
Black eyes and raven hair, 
Blue eyes and sunny tress ; 
Whose children are so fair ? 



THE ROSE. 169 

Robin is fond of books 

And strong and brave and true ; 
But, sure, an infant angel looks 

From Jessie's eyes of blue. 



THE ROSE. 

I AM a rose in beauty beaming ; 
Eden sweets in my bosom teeming. 
While maiden blushes, warm and deep, 
My tender bloom in crimson steep. 

Oh ! I am love's true passion-flower, 

The breath of the Indies my bridal dower ; 

IN'o stately beauty, cold as bright ; 

In expending my sweetness I take delight. 



170 KOSES AND MYRTLES. 

I bathe in the dew of life's early morn, 
Until in the glory of love new-born, 
My bosom kindles in flames of bliss 
Beneath my bridegroom's burning kiss. 

But love so ardent consumes my life ; 
A little time shall I bloom a wife, 
Then resign my beauty and sweet perfume, 
To the mouldering dust of the silent tomb. 

But welcome the tomb in that early hour, 
While still my beloved delights in my bower ; 
Far better the silence of death's cold night, 
Than a lover grown weary of love's delight. 



ART THOU HAPPY, LACKING ME? 171 



AET THOU HAPPY, LACKING ME? 

Art thou happy, lacking me ? 
Art thou happy ? Can it be. 
Thou art happy, lacking me ? 

Thou art happy without me ; 
Thou art happy ; then to be 
Sure thou art, suffices me. 

But the marvel unto me 
Is that thou canst happy be, 
Truly happy, lacking me. 

For the truth is Imown to me, 
I am nothing without thee ; 
Thou art every thing to me. 



172 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

But if liappy thou canst be, 
Truly happy, without me, 
Then thy joy my bliss shall be. 

But if J hidden in thy heart, 
Loneliness and pain haye part. 
Turn to me, thou lonely heart. 

If, contending in thy life, 
Longings vague hold secret strife. 
Blend with mine thy troubled hfe. 

So shall loneliness and strife 
Vanish from our perfect life ; 
Stilled the longings, ceased the strife. 



PHEBE. 173 



PHEBE. 

Wherefore does Phebe never bring 

Her sewing or her book 
And at the window sit, nor sing, 

Nor up the highway look ? 

Because, so often, every day. 
Her neighbor, Willie Brown, 

Is wont to pass along that way, 
In going to the town. 

This Willie once loved Phebe well, 
But through a sad mistake, 

She lost his love ; 'tis sad to tell, 
Her heart did well-nigh break. 



174 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Yet while she drank the bitter cup, 
She could but feel with shame, 

Willie did well to give me up, 
For I was much to blame. 



Phebe loved Will with all her heart, 
And thought his love to win ; 

She now must learn another part ; 
To love him would be sin. 

For Willie has been wedded long, 

Forgetful of the past ; 
And Phebe's cup of bitterness 

Is brimming full at last. 

Poor Phebe has a brave, true heart, 
A pure, good woman's will ; 

Right nobly she will do her part. 
And bid her love be still. 



PHEBE. 175 

She wishes love without alloy, 

To Willie and his wife ; 
She would not take a single joy, 

Or blessing from their life. 

But when his well-known voice she hears, 

Or him afar discerns, 
Her spirit sinks, oppressed with fears. 

Her heart within her burns. 

The old love glows within her breast, 

The old love dims her eyes ; 
And fills her with a sad unrest, 

And wakens frequent sighs. 

Therefore does Phebe never bring 

Her sewing or her book 
And at the window sit, nor sing, 

IsTor up the highway look. 



1Y6 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



PEESCEIPTION. 

" Such strange, mysterious, saddening of soul," 
My best advice, dear Madam, take a stroll 
Down yon gay avenue, 'twill free your mind 
From all mysterious dread of human kind. 



LINES m AN ALBUM. 

Yerses to Ella — thus my Muse I prayed — 
Worthy of Ella, lift thy pinions high : 

But to my grief the coy and modest maid 
Quailed at the lofty flight and would not try. 



LILIES OF THE VALLEY. 177 



LILIES OF THE YALLEY. 

Oh ! Lay me down upon a lily bed. 
The boundless heaven arching overhead ; 
There let me lie and dream my life away, 
JN'or see the night-fall darken this fair day. 

While sweetest perfumes captivate the sense, 
While genial sunbeams vital warmth dispense. 
Let soothing languor on my being steal. 
And in the sleep of death mine eyelids seal. 

My life is young and happy and serene ; 

Bowed down by grief and anguish I have seen 

The good and gentle, and I fain would flee 

Away, before such grief o'ershadow me. 
12 



178 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Then laj me down with lilies, in their bed, 
With lofty azure curtain overhead ; 
There let me lie and dream my life away; 
Sorrow may darken round the closing day. 



BABY. 

Calmly, sweetly sleeping, 
Baby, w^hom we love ; 

Gentle angels keeping 
Watch o'er him above. 

Stilly, coldly sleeping. 
Heedless of our love ; 

Angels, in their keeping 
Holding him above. 



AGUE'S PRAYER. * 179 

JSTo, he is not sleeping . 

Angel of our love ; 
Baby now is keeping 

Watch for us above. 



AGUE'S PEAYEE. 

NEITHER POVERTY NOR RICHES. 

That man alone is truly good and wise, 
And happy in this world, that man alone, 
Who the desire of Agur makes his own ; 
Who to the God of Israel lifts his eyes, 
And from his inmost soul devoutly cries ; 
Two things have I required, O Lord ; deny 
Them not to me, I pray, before I die ; 



180 ' ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Remove far from me vanitj and lies, 
O give me neither poverty nor wealth, 
Lest, in mj riches, I my God despise, 
The source whence all my benefits arise, 
Or, in my hungry need, I take by stealth. 
That which is not mine own, or in my pain, 
I sin, and take the name of God in vain. 

He whose desires are bounded by this prayer, 
May tread life's thorny paths devoid of care ; 
Cull flowers and fruits amid the thorns and briers, 
And taste fulfillment of his fond desires ; 
May find his wants all tenderly supplied. 
And every eager craving satisfied. 



DOOM. 181 



DOOM. 

Fair heaven, bright beaming over slumbering 
meads, 
Star-spangled, star-illumined, radiant space, 
Whose glory to heaven's full effulgence leads ! 
Stars light earth's heaven-claimed spirits to 
heaven's grace. 

With contrariety of woeful fate. 

Earth holds her tenants from the happy flight ; 
With beckoning love the pitying angels wait, 

While spirits earth-bound wrestle wdth her 
might. 

While light celestial beams from blissful skies, 
Blind spirits, stumbling, fall where wiles sur- 
round ; 



182 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

ISTo radiance heavenly greets tlieir clouded eyes ; 
Strayed spirits, wandering wild, in cliaos 
drowned. 



While brooding peace, dove-like, outspreads her 
wings. 
Sad spirits, wailing, keep a vigil dread ; 
'No soothing balm their anguish respite brings ; 
Crushed spirits, mourning over fond hopes 
dead. 



While steadfast souls breast, tranquil, each rough 
wave. 
Tossed spirits, helpless, sink in doubt's foul 
tide ; 
No anchor serves their hopes from wreck to 
save; 
Lost spirits, hopeless, whelmed, while fiends 
deride. 



LINES TO , WITH A ROSE. 183 

Kind heavens, wail a dirge, let angels weep 
Frail spirits, tempted by sin's dizzying whirl ; 

Absorbed, destroyed, drawn to the lowest deep ; 
Dead spirits, buried in the Stygian swirl. 



LINES TO WITH A ROSE. 



Take not, for emblem of my love to thee. 

The rose, though glowing, sweet and fair to see ; 

Roses, the fairest, fade and fall away. 

But love, true love, glows pure and sweet for aye. 



184 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 



TEIAL. A VISION". 

With peaceful thoughts, upon mj bed 
I laid, at night, my weary head ; 
And ere in sleep my eyelids closed, 
My spirit thus on God reposed. 

• 
Oh ! blessed, blessed, thus to lie. 
Content to live, content to die ; 
Confiding in my Father's love. 
And waiting for the world above. 

Come health, come sickness, weal or woe, 
Come high estate, or fortune low. 
Come life or death, God knoweth best. 
In my Father's keeping I safely rest. 



TRIAL. A VISION. 185 

Then peacefully I fell asleep, 
In dreamless slumber, sound and deep, 
Till visions dire, before my eyes. 
Transfixed me with a wild surprise. 

Methought I stood at the gate of Hell ; 
That moment's anguish no words can tell ; 
I cried, " My Father, thy will be done ; 
Yet my soul had trusted in Christ thy Son ; 

Salvation from the doom of sin. 
Through Jesus' blood I had hoped to win ; 
But I own the justice of thy decree, 
Hell has been well deserved by me." 

That awful dream had flitted by ; 

With a grateful soul, and a thankful sigh, 

I cried : " My Father, thy will be done ; 

Yet I hope for pardon through Christ thy Son." 



186 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Then slowly ever my spirit stole 
The blissful peace of a ransomed soul ; 
While one, in tones of boundless love, 
Addressed me from the realms above. 

" Thus have I proved thy love, my child ; 
Have proved it pure and undefiled ; 
And thus thy faith have I sorely tried, 
And found it strong and puriiied. 

Thy trembling soul would'st thou offer up, 
Would' st drain to the dregs the bitter cup, 
Would'st go away 'mid the lost to dwell, 
And meekly endure the pains of hell. 

God's peace be upon thee, faithful one, 
The peace of the Father, the grace of the Son. 
And the gift of the Spirit remain upon thee, 
Henceforth and forever, eternally." 



MEDITATION. 187 



MEDITATIOK 

The Moon, serenely Queen, from her full heiglit, 
Bathing all nature in her silvery light, 
Seemeth to gladden at the pleasant view. 
While from the thirsty flowers, refreshing dew 
Calls forth a balmy breath of perfumed air, 
Xight's fragrant offering to her queen so fair. 

So the reviving dew of Heavenly grace, 
Falling in blessing on our dying race, 
Quickens each spirit to a life divine. 
While o'er our souls the Light of Heaven doth 

shine. 
And the sweet odors of our prayers which rise 
Are offered with much incense in the skies. 



188 KOSES AND MYRTLES. 



LODGING. 

Is there, beyond this world of toil and sorrow, 
A glorious awaking, bright tomorrow ? 

Is there a life where sin has lost its power ; 
Where death, despoiled, resigns his evil dower ? 

Is there a home, where partings never sadden, 
Love looks grow cold, nor dark suspicions madden ? 

Is there a love immortal as the soul. 
Which deepens while eternal ages roll ? 

O Love divine ! O Life without a tear ! 
What shackles vile retain my spirit here ? 

Oh ! seek, my soul, that Rest, and thither fly ; 
Oh ! take, my spirit, wings and reach the sky. 



HYMN. LIFT UP MY EYES. 189 



HYMN. LIFT UP MY EYES, 

Lift up my eyes, dear Lord, 

Up to thy cross ! 
Let me no more behold 

Earth and its dross. 

Far, far above thy cross 

Lift up mine eyes, 
Up to thy glory, Lord, 

In Paradise. 

Up to thy worship. Lord, 
Lead thou my heart, 

That I in thy dear love 
May have a part. 



190 KOSES AND MYRTLES. 

Take thou my spirit, Lord, 

Into thy rest ; 
That I may be with thee, 

There fully blest. 



GOD OUE JUDGE. 

A EiGHTEous Judge have we, 

A patient God, and strong ; 
Oh ! whither shall we flee, 

Most miserable throng. 
Who tread the downward path, 

The broad and easy way, 
The fierceness of His wrath 

Provoking, day by day. 



GOD OUR JUDGE. 191 

Before His awful throne 

An advocate must stand, 
Who may for sin atone, 

And save our guilty band. 
The ransom has been paid 

For this our fallen race ; 
Atonement has been made. 

The work of heavenly grace. 

The Son of God was slain ; 

Slain on the cruel tree ; 
And through His death we gain 

A pardon full and free. 
If pardon we implore. 

In penitence and prayer, 
Our Judge will grant us more 

Than we to ask can dare. 

Yet we a choice must make, 
The strait and narrow way 



192 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

Must choose ; a cross must take, 
And hourly watch and pray. 

In His most gracious plan, 
God gives to all a choice ; 

To every soul of man 

He sends a warning voice. 

O harken to the voice, 

The voice of heavenly love ; 
To-day make thou thy choice. 

Choose thou the God above. 
The Spirit pleads with thee, 

In whispers soft and low ; 
O yield unto His plea, 

Nor dare to answer no. 



^ 



WISHING. 193 



WISHING. 

I WISH, and yet I dare not wish 
For something that might be ; 

I wish, but all in vain my wish, 
It will not come to me. 

I wish, but always keep my wish 
Deep buried in my heart ; 

The hidden secret of that wish 
I will to none impart. 

I wish, O that I could not wish ! 

For wishing leaves a sting ; 

Oh ! who would think a simple wish 

A heart with grief could wring ? 
13 



191 ROSES AJfD MYRTLES. 

I wisli — I must not, will not wish ; 

God's child, there is no need 
That I should mnrmur in a wish, 

At what his love decreed. 

I wish — I will not, do not wish ; 

I yield me to His care ; 
Hereafter let mj every wish 

Be changed into a j^rayer. 



HYMN. OXLY TO PEAY, 

OxLY to pray ! 

Xow to-day, 
And the voice of my cry, 

Wafted high, 
Shall attain to an ear. 

That Avill hear. 



HYMJ^^. ONLY TO PRAY. 195 

Only to pray ! 

'No delay, 
N^ot a moment to wait, 

No debate 
In tlie answer of love. 

From above. 

Only to pray ! 

And my way 
Shall be clear as the sun : 

One may run 
In the path that shall be 

Marked for me. 

Only to pray ! 

Let me pray ; 
And relieved of my care, 

By my prayer, 
I may lift up my voice. 

And rejoice. 



196 EOSES AXD MYRTLES. 

Rejoice, O heart, once buried in despair ! 
Rejoice, glad heart, now free from all thj care ! 
Rejoice, my heart ! The Lord hath heard thy 
prayer. 

Sing praise, my heart I Sing praise, lift up thy 

voice I 
Sing praise, glad heart I Sing praises and rejoice ! 
Sing praise, my heart I The Lord hath heard thy 

voice. 



SUPPLICATIOX. 

Heae me. O God, in this my trial hour ! 

Hear me and help'. 
See me, thy child, thy child in Christening dower, 
Facing the hosts of sin which round me lower, 
Bending before the evil tempter's power. 

Hear me, and help I 



SUPPLICATION. 197 

Hear me, O God, in this my hour of night ! 

Hear me and guide 
My soul in deadly fight. 
Waging for truth and light ; 
Thy banner full in sight. 

Hear me and guide. 

Hear me, O God, in this my hour of woe ! 

Hear me and heed ! 
See how my soul lies low, 
Crushed by her cruel foe, 
Mark thou each bitter throe, 

Hear me and heed ! 

Hear me, O God, in this my hour of need ! 

Hear me and save ! 
See thou my poor heart bleed, 
Pierced by the vengeful deed 
Of envious serpent's seed ; 

Hear me and save ! 



198 ROSES AXD MYRTLES. 

Hear me, O God, in tins my hour of grace ! 

Hear me and bless ! 
Let love and zeal keep pace, 
Till in thy holy place, 
I see thee face to face ; 

Hear me and bless ! 



HYMK. 



Oh ! hasten to the temple, 
Thither go np to pray ; 

Our God meets with His people, 
Upon His holy day. 

Our Jesus in the temple. 

Upon His holy day. 
Instructs all waiting Christians 

To love and praise and pray. 



HYMN. 199 

Then hasten to the temple, 

Upon God's holy day ; 
While health and strength are given , 

Be never found away. 



HYMK 

Jesus, our risen Savior, 

!N^ow seated on thy throne, 
Thy sacrifice completed, 

Thou dost for sin atone. 
We cannot, oh ! we cannot 

Appeal to Thee in vain ; 
Thy death and passion pleading 

Our pardon we obtain. 



200 ROSES AXD MYETLES. 

Thougli red your sins like scarlet, 

Or deepest crimson dye ; 
Though, open unto judgment, 

Your wickednesses cry ; 
Tkej shall be like the snow-drift, 

l^ew fallen, pure and bright, 
Or like the finest fleeces, 

Immaculately white. 

Thus saith a yoice from Heayen ; 

Jesus, Redeemer, King I 
From thee, dear, dear Sayior, 

Angels the message bring. 
Men know not, oh ! they know not, 

Ere thej its grace haye tried. 
What crimson tide of blessing 

Flows freely from thy side. 



TO 201 



TO 



Thy mother's love goes with thee, 

Across the mighty sea ; 
Heaven send that thou may'st safely reach 

The port where thou would'st be. 

Thy mother's thoughts are wdtli thee, 

While thou art on the sea ; 
Her cheeks are pale with anxious fears 

Lest harm may come to thee. 

And oh ! when thou art landed safe, 

Beyond the stormy sea, 
Thy mother's faithful heart w^ill still 

Present to Heaven the plea. 



202 ROSES AND MYRTLES. 

That ever in that foreign land, 
Temptation thou may'st flee ; 

That thou, young soldier of the cross, 
Loyal to Christ may'st be ; 

That thou wilt ever choose the right, 
She fondly trusts in thee ; 

The knowledge of her confidence 
Thy monitor will be. 



TO SOME FEIE^^DS WHO KEQUESTED 
MY LIKENESS. 

A WISH expressed by loved ones to deny. 
Must ever grieve the heart and wake a sigh ; 
Beloved friends, my likeness you require. 
And 1 have sought to give what you desire ; 



TO SOME FRIENDS. 203 

I praj you, take instead thereof mj. heart. 

The Sun himself has not the magic art 

My pictured image on the card to paint ; 

The work to do he lately made a feint, 

And where my features should have found a place, 

He showed, in truth, engraved a form and face. 

Rigid, expressionless, with soulless gaze ; 

Clearly each line the shabby trick displays. 

Since vainly thus to please you I essay, 

Here will I give you, in another way. 

In words, wherein are mirrored mind and thought, 

The token of affection wdiich you sought. 



THE ENDo 



WORKS 



OF 



William Cullen Bryant. 



Illustrated 8vo Edition of Bryant's Poetical Works. 

100 Engravings by Birket Foster, Harry Fenn, Alfred Fred- 
ericks, and other Artists. 1 vol., 8vo. Cloth, gilt side and edge, 
S4.00; half calf, marble edge, $6.00 ; full morocco, antique, $8.00; 
tree calf, $10.00. 

Household Edition. 1 vol., 12ino. Cloth, $2.00; half 
calf, $4.00; morocco, $5.00; tree calf, $5.00. 

Red«Line Edition. With 24 Illustrations, and Portrait of 
Bryant, on Steel. Printed on tinted paper, with red line. Square 
12mo. Cloth, extra, $3.00 ; half calf, $5.00 ; morocco, $7.00 ; tree 
calf, $8.00. 

Blue-and-Gold Edition. 18mo. Cloth, gilt edj];e, $1.50 ; 
half calf, marble edge, $3.00 ; morocco, gilt edge, $4.00. 



Letters from Spain and other Countries. 1 vol., 

12mo. Price, $1.25, 

The Song of the Sower. Illustrated with 42 Engravings 
on Wood, from Original Designs liy Hennessy, Fenn, Winslow 
Homer, Hows, Griswold, Nehlig, and Perkins; engraved in the 
most perfect manner by our best Artists. Elegantly printed 
and bound. Cloth, extra gilt, $5.00 ; morocco, antique, $9.00, 

The Story of the Fountain. With 42 Illustrations by 
Harry Fenn, Alfred Fredericks, John A. Hows, Winslow Homer, 
and others. In one handsome quarto volume. Printed in the 
most perfect manner, on heavy calendered paper. Uniform 
with " The Song of the Sower,'" Square Svo. Cloth, extra gilt, 
$5.00; morocco, antique, $9.00. 

The Little People of the Snow. Illustrated with ex- 
quisite Engravings, printed in Tints, from Designs by Alfred 
Fredericks, Cloth, $5.00; morocco, $9.00. 



D. APPLETON & CO., Publishers, 1, 3, & 5 Bond Street, N. Y. 



" We can not too highly commend this latest scheme for presenting 
gooi literature in comely and convenient shape^ at extremely loio 
prices."' — New Yobk Ev^yrsG Post. 



APPLETONS* 

New Handy-Volume Series. 



Brilllact Novelettes; Komance, Adrentare, Travel, Humor; 
lllstoric, Literary, and Society Monographs. 



1. JET: Hee Face ok her Foetune? A Story. By Mrs. Annie Ed- 

WARDES. Paper, 30 cts. 

2. A STEUGGLE. A Story. By Barnet Phillips. Paper, 25 cts. 

3. MISERICOPwDIA. A Story. By Ethel Ltxn Liston. Paper. 20 cts. 

4. GOKDOX BALDWIN, and THE PHILOSOPHEPv'S PENDULUM. 

By KuDOLPH LiNDAr. Paper, 25 cts. 

5. THE FISHERMAN OF AUGE. A Stor}% By Katharine S. Mac- 

QroiD. Paper, 20 cts. 

6. THE ESSAYS OF ELIA. First Series. By Charles Lamb. Paper. 

30 cts ; clotli, 60 cts. 

7. THE BIED OF PASSAGE. By J. Sheridan Le Fantj. Paper. 25 

cts. 

8. THE HOUSE OF THE TWO BARBELS. By Andke Theuriet. 

Paper, 20 cts. 

9. LIGHTS OF THE OLD ENGLISH STAGE. Paper, 30 cts. 

10. IMPEESSIONS OF AMKRICA. By R. W. Dale. Paper. 30 cts. 

11. THE GOLDSMITH'S WIFE. A Story. By Madame Charles Ret- 

BAUi). Paper. 25 cts. 

12. A SUMMER IDYL. A Story. By Christian Reid. Paper, 30 cts. ; 

cloth, 60 cts. 

13. THE ARAB WIFE. A Romance of the Polynesian Seas. Paper. 

25 cts. 

14. MRS. GAINSBOROUGH^S DIAMONDS. A Story. By Julian 

IlAWTfioRNE. Paper. 20 cts. 

15. LIQUIDATED, and THE SEER. By Rudolph Lindau. Paper, 

25 cts. 

16. TH E GREAT GERMAN COMPOSERS. Paper, 30 cts. ; cloth, 60 cts. 
IT. ANTOINETTE. A Story. By Andre Theuriet. Paper, 20 cts. 
IS. JOHN-A-DREAMS. A Tale. Paper, 30 cts. 

19. MRS. JACK. A Storv. Bv Frances Eleanor Trollope. Paper, 

20 cts. 

20. ENGLISH LITERATURE. By T. Arnold. From the Encyclopce- 

dia Britannica. Paper, 25 cts. 



Appleton^ New Handy-Volume Series {continued). 



21. EAYMONDE. A Tale. By Andbe Thetjeiet. Paper, 30 cts. 

'22. BEACONSFIELD, By George Makepeace Towle. Paper 25 cts. ; 
cloth, (3l) cts. 

23. THE MULTITUDINOUS SEAS. By S. G. W. Benjamin. Paper, 

25 cts. 

2i. THE DISTURBING ELEMENT. By T^uarlotte M. Yonge. Pa- 
per, 30 cts. 

25. FAIRY TALES: their Origin and Meaning. By John Thackray 

BuNCE. Paper, 25 cts. 

26. THOMAS CARLYLE : His Life— his Books— his Theories. By Al- 

fred H. Guernsey. Paper, 3j cts. ; cloth, 60 cts. 

27. A THOROUGH BOHEMIENNE. A Tale. By Madame Charles 

Reybaud. Paper, 30 cts. 

28. THE GREAT ITALIAN AND FRENCH COMPOSERS. By 

George T. Ferris. Paper, 30 cts. ; cloth, 6J cts. 

29. RUSKIN ON PAINTING. With a Biographical Sketch. Paper, 30 

cts. ; cloth, 60 cts. 

30. AN ACCOMPLISHED GENTLEMAN. By Julian Sttjegis, au- 

thor ot " John-a-Dreams.'" Paper, 30 eta!; cloth, 00 cts. 

31. AN ATTIC PHILOSOPHER IN PARIS ; or, a Peep at the World 

from a Garret. Being the Journal of a Happy Man. Irom the 
French of Emile Souvestre. Paper, 80 cts. ; cloth, CO cts. 

£2. A ROGUE'S LIFE : From his Birth to his Marriage. By Wilkte 
Collins. Paper, 25 cts ; cloth, 60 cts. 

33. GEIER-WALLY: A Tale of tbe Tyrol. From the German of Wil- 

HELJiiNE VON HiLLERN. Paper. 80 cts.; cloth. 60 cts. 

34. THE LAST ESSAYS OF ELIA. By C.iarles Lamb. Paper. 30 

cts. ; cloth, 60 cts. 

35. THE YELLOW MASK. By Wilkte Collins. Paper, 25 cts. ; cloth, 

60 cts. 

36. A-SADDLE IN THE WILD WEST. A Glimpse of Travel. By 

William H. Eideikg. Paper, 25 cts.; cloth, 60 cts. 

37. MONEY. A Tale. By Jules Takdieu. Paper, 25 cts. 

3S. PEG WOFFINGTON. By Charles Reade. Paper. 80 cts ; cloth, 
60 cts. 

39. " MY QUEEN." Paper, 25 cts. 

40. UNCLE C:feSAR. By Madame Charles Eetbattd. Paper, 25 cts. 

41. THE DISTRACTED YOUNG PREACHER. By Thomas Hardy. 

HESTER. By Beatrice May Butt. Paper, 25 cts. 

42. TABLE-T.\LK. To which are added Imaginary Conversations of 

Pope and Swift. By Leigh Hunt. Paper, 30 cts.; cloth, 60 cts. 

43. CHRISTIE JOHNSTONE. By Charles Reade. Paper, 30 cts.; 

cloth. 60 cts. 

44. THE WORLD'S P.^RADISES. By S. G. W. Benjamin. Paper, 

30 cts. 

45. THE ALPENSTOCK. Edited by William H. Rideing. Paper, 

30 cts. 



Appldons' New Handy -Volume Series (coniimeed). 



46. COMEDIES FOE AMATEUli ACTING. Edited, with a Prefatory 

Note on Private Theatricals, by J. Beandee Matthews. Paper, 
80 cts. 

47. A^IVIAN THE BEAUTY. By Mrs. Annie Edwaedes. Paper, 30 

cts.; clcth, 60 cis. 

48. GKEAT SINGEES : Faustina Bordoni to Henrietta Sontag. Paper, 

30 cts. ; cloth, 60 cts. 

49. A STEOKE OF DIPLOMACY. From the French of Yictoe Chee- 

BULiEz. Paper, 20 cts. 

50. LOED M AC AULA Y: His Life — his Writings. By Chaeles IT. 

Jones. Paper, 30 cts ; cloth, CO cts. 

51. THE EE rUEN OF THE PEINCESS. By Jacques Yincent. 

Paper, 25 cts. 

52. A SHOET LIFE OF CHAELES DICKENS. With Selections from 

his Letters. By Chaeles H. J ones. Paper, 35 cts ; cloth, 
60 cts. 

53. STEAY MOMENTS WITH THACKEEAY: His Humor. Satire, 

and Characters, By William H, Eideing. Paper, 3 J cts.; cloth, 
60 cts. 

54. DE. HEIDENHOFF'S PEOCESS. By Edwaed Bellamy. Paper, 

25 cts. 

55. SECOND THOUGHTS. By Ehoda Broughton. YoI. I. Paper, 

25 cts. 

56. SECOND THOUGHTS. By Ehoda Beoughton. Yol. II. Paper, 

£5 cts. 

57. TWO EUSSIAN IDYLS : Marcella, Esfira, Paper, 30 cts. 

58. STEANGE STOEIES. By Ekckmann-Ciiateian. Paper, 30 cts. 

59. LITTLE COMEDIES. Ey Julian Stcbgis. Paper, 30 cts. 

60. FEENCH MEN OF LETTEES. By Maueice Mauris (Marquis di 

Calenzano). Paper, 35 cts. 

6L A SHOET LIFE OF WILLIAM EWAET GLADSTONE. By 
Charles H. Jones. Paper, 35 cts. 

62. THE FOEESTEES. By Berthold Aueebach. Paper, 59 cts. 

63. POVEEINA. An Italian Story. Paper, 30 cts. 

64. MASHALLAH ! A Flight into Egypt. By Chaeles Wareen Stod- 

dard. Paper. 30 cts. 

65. ALL ALONE. A Story. By Andbe Theuetet. Paper, 25 cts. 

G6. GEEAT SINGEES. Second Series. Malibri n to Titiens. ByGEOECE 
T. Feeeis. 



Appletons'' New Handy-Yolume Series is in handsome l?mo vol- 
umes, in large type, of a size convenient for the pocket, or suitable lor the 
library-shelf, bound in paper covers. A selection of the volumes bound 
also in cloth, GO cents each. 

Anj' volume mailed, post-paid, to any address within the United States 
or Canada, on receipt of the price. 

D. APPliETON & CO., Publishers, Nev/ York. 




